NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH, 2026

In this presidential proclamation, President Donald J. Trump designates February 2026 as National Black History Month. Written during the United States' 250th anniversary year, the document frames the history of Black Americans as an "indispensable chapter" of the broader American story rather than a distinct or separate narrative.Key Themes and Highlights:Integration of History: The President emphasizes that Black history is American history, noting that Black heroes have contributed to the nation’s laws, military, economy, and culture for over two and a half centuries.Unity Over Division: The proclamation explicitly rejects "far-left" and progressive efforts to divide citizens by race. It asserts that the nation's strength is rooted in a shared commitment to freedom and the principles of the Declaration of Independence rather than in racial differences.Tribute to Icons: The text honors a wide range of Black patriots and intellectuals, including:Revolutionary/Civil War Era: Prince Estabrook (the first Black man to shed blood at the Battle of Lexington), Lemuel Haynes, Phillis Wheatley, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass.Modern Era: Jesse Owens, Katherine Johnson, and economist Thomas Sowell.Administrative Initiatives:National Garden of American Heroes: The President highlights the construction of a new statuary park that will feature icons such as Booker T. Washington, Jackie Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Coretta Scott King, and Muhammad Ali.HBCU Support: Mentions a previous Executive Order aimed at promoting excellence and innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.Economic and Social Goals: The President links the celebration to his broader agenda of making neighborhoods safer, reducing the cost of living (specifically groceries), and making the American Dream more attainable for all citizens.Conclusion:The proclamation serves as a call to celebrate Black Americans' contributions to national greatness while rededicating the country to the ideal of being "one Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."