Establishment of Negro History Week
Carter G. Woodson was born on December 19, 1875, in New Canton, Virginia, to former slaves. Woodson earned degrees from Berea College in Kentucky and the University of Chicago and went on to teach history and other subjects at a number of prominent institutions, including Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Woodson was frustrated by the neglect of African American history in the American educational system. In 1915, he helped found the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to studying and promoting the history and culture of African Americans.
In 1926, Woodson and the ASNLH launched "Negro History Week." The week was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (February 14) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12), two important figures in African American history.
Negro History Week was a success, and it quickly gained support from educators, community leaders, and government officials. In 1935, the U.S. Post Office issued a commemorative stamp honoring the 100th anniversary of Douglass's birth, further raising the profile of the event.
Expansion to Black History Month
In the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement brought increased attention to issues of race and equality. In 1970, President Richard Nixon expanded Negro History Week to "Black History Month" in order to encompass the broader spectrum of African American history and culture.
Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. During Black History Month, schools, libraries, and community centers across the country host events and programs to celebrate African American history and culture.
Black History Month is an important time to reflect on the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history and to celebrate the diversity and richness of African American culture. It is also a time to recommit to the fight for racial equality and social justice.