How Black History month is celebrated around the world (2024)

October is Black History Month in the UK, an event that has been celebrated nationwide for more than 30 years.

It was originally founded to recognise the contributions that people of African and Caribbean backgrounds have made to the UK over many generations.

Now, Black History Month has expanded to include the history of not just African and Caribbean people but all black people.

"In years gone by, October has been the only time of year when the UK talks about the achievements of black people in Britain," says Catherine Ross, a guest editor of Black History Month.

"Hopefully, this will be a catalyst for black history to be shared much more widely - in museums, galleries, schools, universities, public spaces and communities."

How do you plan to mark Black History Month? You can let us know your ideas in the comments.

Carter G. Woodson was a ground breaking historian in the US who recognised there was a lack of information about the achievements of black people in America.

In 1915 he set up a society to study exactly that, which is why he is known as "The father of Black history".

Black History Month wasn't adopted in the UK though until many years later in 1987 at the same time as the 150th anniversary of when slavery was abolished in the Caribbean.

Black History Month was launched in London by a man from Ghana called Akyaaba Addai-Sebo.

He came to the UK in 1984 as a refugee and, like Woodson, his aim was for the local community to challenge racism and educate themselves and others about the British history of black people that was not taught in schools.

Black people have been in Britain for a lot longer than previously thought - one of the oldest skeletons ever found was that of the Cheddar Man who had dark skin.

Archaeologists, people who study human history by digging up sites looking at bones and ancient objects, think the skeleton dates back to the Stone Age.

Throughout history, black people have always been present in the UK but there has been a lack of representation in history books.

In paintings of Henry VIII you can see black people in the background.

Queen Victoria even had a black goddaughter whose mother was a Nigerian Princess called Omoba. She was given to the Queen when her parents died after being captured by slave traders. Her name was changed to Sarah Forbes-Bonetta.

Many people think it's important to remember the forgotten people who have helped to shape the UK.

In more recent times, there were protests in Britain and around the world in 2020 in response to the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being stopped by police in America.

"2020 has held a mirror up to the world and forced many to see the reality of racism," says Catherine Ross.

In the UK, Black Lives Matter protests called for an end to systemic racism, where people are treated unfairly because they are black.

Premier League footballers have taken the knee in solidarity with the movement, while there have been calls to remove statues of white people who contributed to Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade - a time when black people were traded for goods and sold into slavery to work. The practice lasted for more than 400 years.

"Black Lives Matter protests around the world sparked a commitment among many individuals and organisations to educate themselves about black history, heritage and culture - as part of understanding racism and standing in solidarity against it," Ross said.

It is mainly marked in the US where it started and the UK as well as in Canada, Germany and Ireland.

In 1990 Germany was the second European country to officially recognise Black History Month, with Ireland joining in 2010.

In the Netherlands it is known as Black Achievement Month. Other countries hold events and celebrations but might not do this on an official basis.

Many people take the time to do research into their backgrounds or find out more about black people who have made a difference to the UK.

Some schools teach about Britain's black history, including the slave trade, and important and influential black men and women from history.

The National Association of Head Teachers union has gone further and called for an anti-racist approach to education at the start of Black History Month 2023.

It said anti-racism was more than simply being aware of racism, it involved training people to spot it and call it out. The union said it wanted compulsory training in anti-racism for all educators to help bring about "true change".

But the UK government says laws already exist to prevent racism which it says "has absolutely no place in our schools and the Equality Act is clear that discrimination against pupils on the basis of their race is unlawful".

If you are interested in reading more books by black authors and about racial inequality, BBC Bitesize has this handy guide.