President Ford, the ASALH, and the political origins of black history month

Abstract

In 1976, the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASALH) expanded their observance of black history from a week to a month. This decision was made because of the fortuitous timing of America's bicentennial, which the ASALH saw as an ideal opportunity not only to spotlight African American history as a fundamental part of United States history and to highlight black contributions to the country but also to celebrate its founder, Carter G. Woodson, whose centennial anniversary fell on the same year. To honor the new observance, the ASALH asked President Gerald Ford to issue a proclamation. Ford agreed to honor the observance, but chose to do so by issuing a presidential message instead of a proclamation. In this article, we examine the Ford administration's handling of ASALH's request, arguing that the decisions made resulted from several competing factors, both personal and political. Ford's personal sympathy for the struggle of black Americans and his wish to be seen favorably by black voters were tempered by his desire to act cautiously due to the shifting political considerations surrounding the 1976 election.