African American Cotton Pickers Day - It’s African American Cotton Pickers Day! Do you know that the paper used to print the American dollar is 70% cotton? Read on to garner more information.

African American Cotton Pickers Day 2024 – October 28, 2024

African American Cotton Pickers Day is commemorated every fourth Monday of every October and this year the holiday will be observed on October 24. The day was created primarily to recognize the contributions of Black cotton farmers in the U.S. cotton industry. Cotton farming remained one of the economic boosters in America before and after the Civil War. The crop was predominantly farmed in the South, which had higher numbers of Black slaves, used especially on cotton farms. It’s thanks to these Black cotton farmers that Southern U.S. agriculture is so rich!

History of African American Cotton Pickers Day

Black slaves have been working on American cotton farms since around the 19th century. That was the sole purpose why they were bought by U.S. farm owners, a practice that was predominant in the South. Basically, the increase of cotton farms led to increased demand for slaves — a chief instigator of the Civil War of the 1860s. As important as the contribution of the Black cotton farmers was, they weren’t accorded any respect from their owners, even after slavery ended.In the late 1800s, Black cotton farmers were subjected to unfair treatment by their former White owners, who became alarmed by the increasing number of independent Black cotton farmers. White cotton farmers were urged to take full control of the cotton industry to avert Black farmers’ domination. This often caused clashes between the two parties, leading to physical attacks and strikes as was seen in 1861 and 1891 respectively.African American Cotton Pickers Day was created by the renowned Dallas historian — Clarence Glover, in 2020. Glover realized the immense contributions of African Americans in cotton production in the U.S. and he saw the dearth of acknowledgment those tireless souls are accorded. He, therefore, decided to create a national day to give them the credit they deserve. In a 2021 exclusive interview with Texas Highways Magazine, Glover said that the goal for creating the day was to: “First recognize African American cotton pickers who are living today, who still have memory, both of their experience and the experiences of their parents and grandparents in the development of the cotton industry in America.”Glover feels it is high time those subdued Black cotton farmers got acknowledged for their great contribution to U.S. cotton production.

African American Cotton Pickers Day timeline

1863
The Proclamation of Emancipation

The Proclamation allows people of African ancestry to take part in the U.S. agricultural industry.

1891
The Strike by Black Cotton Pickers

The Colored Farmers' Association leads Black cotton pickers in a strike action against the White, Democratic supremacists in Memphis.

1940
The Right to Determine Policy

Black cotton farmers take part in elections to determine cotton farming policies without getting intimidated.

1961
The Assassination of a Cotton Farmer

Herbert Lee, a Black cotton farmer, is shot in the head by a White legislator.

African American Cotton Pickers Day FAQs

What year did slaves start picking cotton?

Slaves began to pick cotton in America in the early 1800s. The practice increased in the middle of the century.

What did slaves do in the cotton fields?

Slaves were made to harvest and pick cotton on farms. They endured very inhumane conditions as they carried out this forced labor.

Is cotton a symbol of slavery?

In a sense, cotton can be said to be a symbol of slavery in the southern states of the U.S. This is because it was the onset of cotton farms that introduced slaves into this region.

How to Observe African American Cotton Pickers Day

  1. Appreciate Black cotton farmers

    Contemplate the fact that we’ve been blessed with the cotton industry thanks to them. Since their efforts weren’t properly appreciated in their times, be the one to give them sincere appreciation.

  2. Visit an African American cotton farm

    Today sounds like a good day to take a tour. How about going to a cotton farm that is wholly owned by an African American. You are sure to learn a lot from the time spent there.

  3. Learn and then tell their story

    Read up on some stories of those African American cotton farmers. Take the next step and convey the stories to your circle or share them online.

5 Important Facts About Cotton

  1. Cotton is an ancient crop

    Cotton has been around as far back as in ancient Peruvian and pre-Pharaoh Egyptian eras.

  2. There are four types of cotton

    The four types of cotton include the Pima (American), Egyptian, Upland, and Organic cotton.

  3. The best quality cotton

    Egyptian cotton is considered the best due to its extra softness, length, and fiber strength.

  4. Cotton goes into the making of denim

    One of the starting materials in jeans and denim productions is cotton.

  5. The real meaning of ‘Cotton Gin’

    The term means Cotton Engine and not an alcoholic drink as the name suggests.

Why African American Cotton Pickers Day is Important

  1. It’s a day to take a stance against racism

    We have to give people credit when credit is due regardless of their skin color or race. This day allows us to celebrate the unacknowledged African American cotton picker.

  2. Make African American cotton farmers proud

    Letting African American cotton farmers feel sincerely appreciated for their contribution is the least we can do. The hardships that they and their ancestors went through were not in vain.

  3. Cotton is a key marker of our economy

    Cotton farming is a major contributor to the economy of southern American states. This product, grown on American farms, ensures that we have a constant supply of fabric and many other essential items.

African American Cotton Pickers Day dates

Year Date Day
2022 October 24 Monday
2023 October 23 Monday
2024 October 28 Monday
2025 October 27 Monday
2026 October 26 Monday