Carter Woodson
Black History Month, where did it come from? A month that recognizes African American figures that has helped shape this country but is often unrecognized. One person did not agree with the culture being ignored thus writing in history what is today known as, Black History Month.
February marks the beginning of Black History month. Black History Month is a nation-wide celebration that gives Americans the opportunity to reflect on the significant roles of that African Americans that have com and passed, but left there legend embedded in history. These African American played a significant role in shaping U.S history. But how did black history month come to be? Dr. Carter G. Woodson is considered to be the founder or pioneer in the studies of African American history. The son of former slaves began his journey at age 19 teaching himself the English language as well as finishing a four-year curriculum in high school in only two years. Later, receiving a masters and his PhD. Dr. Woodson was disturbed that the majority of history textbooks ignored the black population, and viewed this as a challenge to make black history prevalent in this nation’s history. In 1926, Woodson developed Negro History Week. He believed that the achievements of had equal significance on human progress and building modern civilization.
Negro History Week began to receive recognition and in 1976 it expanded into Black History Month. Woodson chose the second week of February for celebrating because two of America’s great pioneers who influenced Black America: Frederick Douglas’s (February 14), and Former President Abraham Lincoln (February 12), who signed the emancipation proclamation that abolished slavery in the confederate states. Fast forward 87 years later Black History Month is growing and is being incorporated in textbooks and in society.
