celebrating black history month in the us. every february the united states pays tribute to the legacy and contributions of black americans. from the fight for voting rights to the civil rights movement, which pushed for an end to discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex or national origin. black history month in the us is a tradition that began in 1926 as a week long celebration of black history and culture started by author and civil rights activist dr carter g woodson. 50 years later in 1976, gerald ford would become the first us president to formally recognize it as a month long celebration. calling on americans to seize the opportunity to honour the too often neglected accomplishments of black americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history. it wouldn t be until 90 years after the first black history week that the nation s first black president, barack obama, would commemorate black history month at the white house. from our earliest days, blac