The History of
Black History Month
By: Renee
Davis
Our
country has observed Black history every year beginning in 1926.
What began as “Negro History Week” evolved into what we now know
as “Black History Month”.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves, is credited with
establishing a specific time at which the accomplishments of Black
Americans could be celebrated. He chose the first week in February
because of the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.
As we all know, these two men have greatly influenced the lives of
Black Americans.
Dr. Woodson did not enter high school until he was 20 years of
age. Financial and cultural challenges of that time required that
many black children work to help support their families instead of
pursuing their education. Dr. Woodson worked in the coalmines of
Kentucky. After graduating from high school in just two years, Dr.
Woodson went on to earn his Ph. D from Harvard. Disappointed with
the lack of black accomplishments documented in history books, he
founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in
1915. The organization, which is now known as the Study of
Afro-American Life and History, documented the accomplishments of
blacks that had widely been ignored until that point, and resulted
in the Journal of Negro History. With the goal of calling the
nations attention to the contributions of black people throughout
American history, he launched Negro History Week in 1926.
Today our country not only celebrates the accomplishments of its
black citizens, but those of many others that make this country
great. Whether it is September when you have the chance to learn
about our Hispanic brothers and sisters or May when we honor those
of Asian/Pacific decent, take the opportunity to learn about and
respect the cultures of ALL of the people that make AMERICAN
history. The months America honors other important Heritage dates
are February – Black History Month, March – Irish American
Heritage Month and Greek American Month, May – Asian/Pacific
American Heritage Month, September 15- October 15 – Hispanic
Heritage Month, October – German American Month and Italian
American Month, November – Native American Heritage Month.
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