African American Cotton Pickers Day

The African American Cotton Pickers Day, observed annually on the fourth Monday of October, is a day dedicated to recognising and honouring African‑American men and women who laboured in cotton cultivation—especially during slavery, sharecropping and Jim Crow eras—and whose work underpinned major parts of American agricultural and economic history.

History of African American Cotton Pickers Day

The observance was established in 2020 by historian and community leader Clarence E. Glover Jr. out of Dallas. He chose the fourth Monday in October because it reflects the height of the cotton picking season and because the day offers a moment to shift the conversation from shame to pride regarding the contributions of African‑American cotton pickers. The day has also come to be known informally as “Cotton Monday”.

Why is African American Cotton Pickers Day important?

This day holds significance because it raises awareness of a part of American history that is often overlooked or simplified. The cotton‑picking labour of African‑Americans was integral to agricultural wealth, industrial growth and national development, yet the recognition and economic benefits for these workers were minimal or absent. Celebrating this day invites society to acknowledge those contributions and the human cost behind them.
At the same time, the day prompts reflection on how legacy, memory and economic opportunity intersect. It asks us to consider who gets remembered, who gets rewarded and how history informs current patterns of wealth, labour and justice. By placing this day in our calendars, we give space to stories of resilience, identity and recognition.

• It honours African‑American cotton pickers—named and unnamed—whose labour supported broad society
• It encourages learning about the agriculture and industrial systems linked to cotton in American history
• It invites dialogue about labour, race and economic justice through the lens of cotton work
• It supports community recognition of elders who did cotton‑picking and their stories
• It fosters respect for the cultural and historical importance of cotton labour beyond stereotypes

How to Observe African American Cotton Pickers Day

You can mark this observance in meaningful but manageable ways. One approach is to wear something made of 100 % cotton—black and white—to symbolise both the people and the product. Another is to research local cotton‑picking history—visiting museums, interviewing elders, or attending talks about the labour legacy in your region. Schools might introduce lessons that explore the economies of cotton and labour.
You might also host or attend an event that brings together the community to share stories of cotton pickers, listen to older family members, and reflect on the impact of that labour. Through art, writing, discussion or social media one can share recognition and build awareness.

• Wear clothing made of 100 % cotton, perhaps combining black (for the people) and white (for the cotton)
• Visit a local historical site, museum or archive that highlights cotton‑picking history and African‑American labour
• Invite an elder who did cotton‑picking work to share their story and record or preserve it
• Organise or attend a community discussion or educational session about the role of cotton and labour in American history
• Post on social media using a simple phrase like “Cotton Monday – remembering the labour” and invite others to reflect

African American Cotton Pickers Day Dates Table