President Donald Trump has recognized February 2025 as National Black History Month, continuing a presidential tradition.

“Every year, National Black History Month is an occasion to celebrate the contributions of so many black American patriots who have indelibly shaped our Nation’s history,” Trump said in a news release. He signed the proclamation on Friday to honor the annual observance.

“Throughout our history, black Americans have been among our country’s most consequential leaders, shaping the cultural and political destiny of our Nation in profound ways,” he added. “American heroes such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Sowell, Justice Clarence Thomas, and countless others represent what is best in America and her citizens. Their achievements, which have monumentally advanced the tradition of equality under the law in our great country, continue to serve as an inspiration for all Americans.”

Trump also urged public officials, educators, librarians, as well as all Americans, to observe February “with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”

During a news briefing Friday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump planned to ink the proclamation when questioned. A reporter asked her about rumors that were swirling in the news and on social media, with some saying Trump planned to “cancel” the yearly tradition.

Leavitt said that was not the case, with the president staying true to his word and signing the proclamation.

The reporter also spoke about a memo from the Defense Intelligence Agency ordering a pause of all activities and events related to Black History Month.

According to reports, “the memo listed 11 observances that are now banned,” including Black History Month, as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, LGBTQ Pride Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and other “special observances.” The memo also reportedly noted all affinity groups and “employee networking groups” were immediately on pause.

Trump signed multiple executive orders since taking office Jan. 20, including one that puts a halt to federal programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

That led to a flurry of social media posts, with a Democratic state representative from Texas addressing it on X.

“While someone has tried to cancel Black history month that is NOT happening in our office,” U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett wrote on X last week.

Still, it sparked backlash for Trump, with his critics taking to social media to remind him he didn’t create the observance.

“So, Donald Trump tried to cancel Black History Month, and now he’s acting like he’s the one bringing it back. How do you regift something that was already ours for decades?” one person wrote on X.

Another person on X described Trump and his DEI polices as “anti-Black.”

“Trump cancelled Black History Month and Juneteenth celebrations proving anti-DEI means anti-Black,” according to the post.

Saturday marked the first day of Black History Month, a celebration of Black history, culture and education. The history of the month dates back almost a century, and the way it is celebrated and evolved has created history in itself.

Black History Month wasn’t always a monthlong celebration. In February 1926, historian and author Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week. It was a weeklong celebration in an effort to teach people about African-American history and the contributions of Black people.

After he passed away in 1950, the members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, which Woodson was a member of, did a lot of groundwork to encourage celebrating the week. The fraternity was also responsible for the push to extend the celebrations to a full month. Eventually, in 1976, President Gerald Ford became the first president to issue a message recognizing the month.

Since then, presidents have made annual proclamations for National Black History Month, a tradition Trump honored.

“This National Black History Month, as America prepares to enter a historic Golden Age, I want to extend my tremendous gratitude to black Americans for all they have done to bring us to this moment, and for the many future contributions they will make as we advance into a future of limitless possibility under my Administration,” Trump said in the release.

Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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