Black History Month is an observance formerly known as “Negro History Week.” It was set in motion by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Woodson was a Black American professor and scholar who felt that Black American history was being forgotten in schools. In 1976, the observance was extended and renamed Black History Month. Throughout the month of February in the US, Canada, and other parts of the world, students learn about Black history, culture, and traditions. They also learn about notable Black figures.

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One of the most talked-about periods in Black American history is the colonial period. Many Africans were taken against their will to North America in the 16th century. They were forced to live with their slaveholders in British colonies throughout the US and, later, in Canada. The population of enslaved people grew slowly at first. During the 17th and 18th centuries, America relied heavily on slave labor to build its growing economy. Enslaved laborers did everything from sewing and cleaning to mining, driving carriages, and building roads. In Canada, enslaved workers were mainly used as domestic servants and farmhands; however, it was costly to maintain slave labor year-round due to the harsh winters.