The Path To Black History Month In Canada

The first recognition of Black History week happened in Toronto 1950

Black History Month started in 1926 as Negro History Week in the United States by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian of African Americans and is commemorated on the second week of February. His initiative caught the attention of those in the Black community and politicians who seized on the momentum and eventually in 1976 Congress declared Black History Month as a national day of observance. 

Here in Canada, it wasn’t until Member of Parliament Jean Augustine, introduced a motion in the House of Commons on December 14th, 1995, it aimed to recognize ” the diversity of the Black community in Canada and its importance in the history of this country, and recognize February as Black History Month.” 

One year later, on February 1st, 1996, Black History month was officially observed in Canada, nationwide. Interestingly, the House of Commons waited over a decade for Senate approval. It wasn’t until March 4th, 2008 that Black History Month gained permanent recognition in Canada. 

Mark your calendars folks for an incredible month of learning and celebrating with movie nights, delicious food, trivia, and another very special guest speaker! Stay tuned to The Kitchen for more details.

Image source Library of Congress