Published on: Wednesday, February 1, 2023

February marks Black History Month, a tradition that got its start in the Jim Crow era and was officially recognized in 1976 as part of the nation's bicentennial celebrations. It aims to honor the contributions that African Americans have made and to recognize their sacrifices.

The Training Division's annual 2023 Race in the Federal Criminal Court: Strategies in Pursuit of Justice conference will take place February 2-4, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.

Virtual resources include links to online resources from the National Museum of African, American History and Culture, National Archives Museum, Public Broadcasting Service, and the National Register of Historic Places through the U.S. National Park Service that showcase the rich ancestry, traditions, and experiences of African Americans.

By 1976, it became official, with President Gerald R. Ford declaring February as Black History Month and calling on the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

Today, Black History Month is also celebrated in Canada every February and the United Kingdom in October.