The Facts Behind ‘black History Month”

The Facts behind “Black History Month”
 Image via Wikipedia Fredrick Douglass

The year of our Lord 2010, marks the 34th anniversary of the celebration of Black History Month in the United States of America. But the trek to arrive to this great moment in history, started many years before.  This wonderful idea first blossomed in the mind of Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1915.  

Dr. C.G.Woodson, was born on December 19,1875 in Virginia, a son of a slave.  He founded the Association for the Study of African Life and History in 1915.  He when on to became a well known historian, teacher, author and publisher who spent his entire life trying to acknowledge the many contributions made by African American to America life. For this he’s known as the “Father of Black History”. 

Image via Wikipedia Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr)

In 1926 he put the wheels into motion for the establishment of a “Negro History Week”.  He chose the second week in February, because that week contained of two important dates.  One was President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday February 12 and the other was Fredrick Douglass’ birthday on February 14.

It was celebrated that way until the cultural awakening of the late 60’s and early 70’s. It was then changed to “Black History Week”.  Then in 1976 to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial, the week long celebration was changed and extended for a month, hence the birth of “Black History Month”.

Dr. C. G. Woodson died in April 3, 1950. The Association for the Study of African Life and History that he started, continues to serve the African American community to this day. 

Thank you so much Dr. Carter G. Woodson for all you accomplished and may your legacy live on forever!

Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr