NAACP Day

NAACP Day is observed on February 12. This day celebrates the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1909. It serves as a time to recognize the organization’s work in promoting civil rights, social justice, and the elimination of race-based discrimination across the United States.

History of NAACP Day

The NAACP was founded in response to the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois. Appalled by the violence and the frequent practice of lynching, a diverse group of activists issued a “call” for a national meeting to discuss racial justice. This group included W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Mary White Ovington, and William English Walling. They chose officially to form the organization on February 12, 1909, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. ¹

Initially, the organization focused on legal strategies to challenge the Jim Crow laws that enforced segregation in the South. Over the decades, it grew into the largest and most influential civil rights group in the country. The NAACP was instrumental in landmark legal victories, including the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, which ended legal segregation in public schools. The organization also played a vital role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Why is NAACP Day important?

This day is important because it highlights the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since 1909 while acknowledging the work that remains. The holiday reminds the public of the power of interracial cooperation and the effectiveness of using the legal system to secure constitutional rights for all citizens.

The observance also honors the courage of early civil rights leaders who faced significant personal danger to advocate for reform. By celebrating this anniversary, communities can engage with the organization’s modern mission, which includes addressing disparities in education, healthcare, and the criminal justice system. It serves as an annual anchor for educational programs that ensure the history of the civil rights movement is passed down to younger generations.

• It commemorates the 1909 founding of the nation’s oldest civil rights group.
• The day recognizes the achievement of ending legal school segregation.
• It highlights the role of the legal system in protecting minority rights.
• People use the date to discuss modern challenges in social justice.
• It honors the interracial effort required to spark the civil rights movement.

How to Celebrate NAACP Day

Many people celebrate by participating in local community forums or seminars that discuss civil rights history. Schools often hold special assemblies where students learn about the founders and the major court cases led by the NAACP. It is also a common day for individuals to renew their memberships or join a local branch to support ongoing advocacy work.

Social media is frequently used to share educational resources, quotes from founders like W.E.B. Du Bois, and updates on current civil rights initiatives. Some communities host award ceremonies or dinners to honor local activists who have made significant contributions to equality. Others spend the day volunteering for non-partisan voter registration drives or supporting Black-owned businesses to promote economic empowerment within the community.

• Attend a local branch meeting or educational workshop on civil rights.
• Donate to the NAACP to support their legal defense and advocacy funds.
• Read a book about the history of the NAACP and its founders.
• Share information about current social justice campaigns on social media.
• Support minority-owned businesses in your neighborhood or city.

NAACP Day Dates Table

1. https://naacp.org/events/naacp-founders-day[↩]