After the stressful midterm week, we have stepped foot into the new month of February. While you might be anticipating Valentine’s Day and Winter Break this month, it might be great to know that a meaningful cultural event that is celebrated by millions of people in the country also lands on February, in fact, it’s the entire month of it, and that’s Black History Month. 

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements African-Americans have accomplished against all odds. Beginning as Black History Week, the event was expanded to the whole month of February on the 200th anniversary of American independence.

The founder of the event is historian Carter G.Woodson, who realized that African-Americans’ success and accomplishments throughout history are barely recognized or appreciated. He founded the event in order to remind people that the effort black community has made to build American society should not be invisible and taken for granted. Today, Black History Month has become an important cultural event that’s celebrated from many black households to the White House to appreciate black achievements.

“We celebrate Black History Month by reading and getting educated. I think here in Maine, it’s more personal rather than something people talk about,” Breya Macfarline ’23 said.