Additionally, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has actually made each February extra significant during Black History Month by choosing a different theme for every single year. So, starting with 1928, we have all the Black History Month themes to look back on. According to the ASALH, “Over the years, the themes reflect changes in how people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the black community.” Enjoy looking through the themes from the past 95 years—including the latest theme for 2023!
Black History Month Theme for 2023
This year, February will be a celebration of Black History Month with the theme “Black Resistance.” The ASALH shares, “African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction.” Expanding on the theme of Black Resistance, ASALH also discusses the significant contributions of Black faith institutions, cultural centers, Black medical professionals, Black athletes, Black musicians and more—who have all stood up against injustice and have worked to bring about equality, advocacy and change. How can we focus on this theme in February 2023? ASALH explains: “This is a call to everyone, inside and outside the academy, to study the history of Black Americans’ responses to establish safe spaces, where Black life can be sustained, fortified, and respected.”
Black History Month Themes Through the Years
1928 Civilization: A World Achievement 1929 Possibility of Putting Negro History in the Curriculum 1930 Significant Achievements of the Negro 1931 Neglected Aspects of Negro History 1932 What George Washington Bicentennial Commission Fail to Do 1933 Ethiopia Meets Error in Truth 1934 Contribution of the Negro in Poetry, in Painting, in Sculpture and in Science 1935 The Negro Achievements in Africa 1936 African Background Outlined 1937 American Negro History from the Time of Importation from Africa up to the Present Day 1938 Special Achievements of the Race: Oratory, Drama, Music, Painting, Sculpture, Science and Inventions 1939 Special Achievements of the Race: Religion, Education, Business, Architecture, Engineering, Innovation, Pioneering 1940 Negro Labor 1941 The Career of Frederick Douglass 1942 The Negro in Democracy 1943 The Negro in the Modern World 1944 The Negro and the New Order 1945 The Negro and Reconversion 1946 Let us Have Peace 1947 Democracy Possible only Through Brotherhood 1948 The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth 1949 The Use of Spirituals in the Classroom 1950- Outstanding Moments in Negro History 1951 Eminent Negroes in World Affairs 1952 Great Negro Educators (Teachers) 1953 Negro History and Human Relations 1954 Negro History: A Foundation for Integration 1955 Negro History: A Contribution to America’s Intercultural Life 1956 Negro History in an Era of Changing Human Relations 1957 Negro History 1958 Negro History: A Factor in Nationalism and Internationalism 1959 Negro History: A Foundation for a Proud America 1960 Strengthening America Through Education in Negro History and African Culture 1961 Freedom and Democracy for the Negro after 100 years (1861-1961) 1962 Negro History and a New Birth of Freedom 1963 Negro History Evaluates Emancipation (1863-1963) 1964 Negro History: A Basis for the New Freedom 1965 Negro History: Freedom’s Foundation 1966 Freedom from Racial Myths and Stereotypes Through Negro History 1967 Negro History in the Home, School, and the Community 1968 The Centennial of the Fourteenth Amendment Afro American History Week 1969 Changing the Afro American Image through History 1970 15th Amendment and Black America in the Century (1870-1970) 1971 African Civilization and Culture: A Worthy Historical Background 1972 African Art, Music, Literature; a Valuable Cultural Experience 1973 Biography Illuminates the Black Experience 1974 Helping America Understand 1975 Fulfilling America’s Promise: Black History Month 1976 America for All Americans 1977 Heritage Days: The Black Perspective; the Third Century 1978 Roots, Achievements and Projections 1979 History: Torch for the future 1980 Heritage for America 1981 Black History: Role Model for Youth 1982 Afro American Survival 1983 Afro Americans in the United States 1984 Afro Americans and Education 1985 Afro American Family 1986 Afro American Experience: International Connection 1987 Afro Americans and the Constitution from Colonial Times to the Present 1988 Constitutional Status of Afro Americans in the 21st Century 1989 Afro Americans and Religion 1990 Seventy-Five Years of Scholarly Excellence: A Homage to Our Forebearers 1991 Educating America: Black Universities and Colleges, Strengths and Crisis 1992 African Roots Experience New Worlds, Pre-Columbus to Space Exploration 1993 Afro-American Scholars: Leaders, Activists and Writers 1994 Empowering Black Americans 1995 Reflections on 1895: Douglass, Du Bois & Washington 1996 Black Women 1997 African Americans and Civil Rights; a Reprisal 1998 Black Business 1999 Legacy of African American Leadership for the Present and the Future 2000 Heritage and Horizons: The African American Legacy and the Challenges for the 21st Century 2001 Creating and Defining the African American Community: Family, Church Politics and Culture 2002 The Color Line Revisited: Is Racism Dead? 2003 The Souls of Black Folks: Centennial Reflections 2004 Before Brown, Beyond Boundaries: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education 2005 The Niagara Movement: Black Protest Reborn, 1905-2005 2006 Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social, and Civil Institutions 2007 From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in the Americas 2008 Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism 2009 The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas 2010 The History of Black Economic Empowerment 2011 African Americans and the Civil War 2012 Black Women in American Culture and History 2012 President Barack Obama National Black History Month Proclamation 2013 At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington 2014 Civil Rights in America 2015 A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture 2016 Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories 2017 – The Crisis in Black Education 2018 – African Americans in Times of War 2019 – Black Migrations 2020 – African Americans and the Vote 2021 – The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity 2022 – Black Health and Wellness 2023 – Black Resistance Next up: 120 Inspiring Quotes for Black History Month: ‘Freedom Is Never Given’
