Niles North will be spending the month of February celebrating Black History Month.

Created by historian Carter G. Woodson, February was chosen to be the month in which we celebrate Black history, as it coincides with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two prominent figures in the fight to end slavery who were born during that month.

Black History Month was created to focus our nation’s attention on the contributions of Black people in the United States. It highlights the lives of both the Africans who were first brought here and the Black people still alive today. It started as a week (initially coined Negro History Week) but grew to become celebrated all month round after former president Gerald Ford extended the recognition in order to “…honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Prior to Black History Month, Black history was not taught in schools or seen in textbooks. There was a complete lack of information on the accomplishments of Black people available to the public, but nowadays there are more opportunities to learn about it.

Today we have the internet, electives such as Black and Latinx Studies and Stories of the African Diaspora, and even a new AP course called African American Studies that teach about Black history. Though there is a lot to improve on, many students are now learning about ancient African civilizations or the power of the “n-word” in school environments. The African diaspora is an aspect of history that many educators are working to incorporate into lessons. We have come a long way.

Check out the Black History Month calendar linked here. There, you can learn about the art of stepping, the Divine Nine Fraternities and Sororities, and historically Black colleges and universities. Student Council will be presenting movie nights featuring movies like Step and Hidden Figures. Students Donovyn Capellan and Wendu Elue will be reciting famous quotes from Black figures every morning over the intercom from people like Malcolm X and Angela Davis. You can also find Black businesses to support at the bottom of the calendar.

There will be a Black History Month assembly on Feb. 23 in the Main Gym from 8:50 A.M. to 10 A.M., presented by the Black Student Union. Alethea Busch and Melissa Connell’s graphic design students’ typography poster designs featuring quotes from famous Black and African American leaders will be featured at the assembly. The Black Teen Summit will take place on Feb. 28.

Any time you get the chance to learn about Black history, you should. Because it is Black history, that is the reason why we are all here today. Despite Black Americans having their own designated month, Black history is forever.