Black History Month

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Black History Month

February 1 | The Greensboro Sit Ins
February 4, 1913 Rosa Parks - The First Lady Of Civil Rights Born
February 5, 1934 | Henry Louis "Hank Aaron" Was Born.
February 8, 1968 | The South Carolina State Orangeburg Massacre
February 11, 1990 | Nelson Mandela Is Released From Prison
February 14, 1818 | Frederick Douglass's Birthday Celebrated
February 15, 2011 | Maya Angelou Awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom
February 16, 1970 Joe Frazier Becomes World Champion
February 19, 1942 Tuskegee Airmen Activated
February 21, 1936 Congresswoman Barbara Jordan Was Born
February 25, 1870 Hiram Rhodes Revels Becomes The First African American Senator (With) Representatives in the 41st and 42nd Congress

The Founder Of Black History Month

Dr. Carter G. Woodson began “Negro History Week” the forerunner to Black History Month during the second week of February in 1926. He was a noted, historian, journalist, author and the founder of The Association For the Study of Negro Life and History, currently known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. If you do not know your history, you may not know really appreciate the true value of your culture.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson

December 19, 1875 - April 3, 1950

Thanks to the man known as “The Father of Black History” Dr. Carter G. Woodson, African Americans are constantly learning their history and becoming more confident of who they are because of the study of their past. Woodson was born to slaves on December 19, 1875 in New Canton, Virginia. He died on April 3, 1950 in Washington, DC at age 74. Dr. Woodson is remembered as a historian, journalist, author and the “The Father of Black History”.

Black History Month Timeline

Negro History Week

1926

Dr. Carter G. Woodson In 1926 established that the second week in February would be celebrated as Negro History Week.
Negro History Week

1926

The second week in February was chosen because it was close to the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
Negro History Week

1926

Initially, the focus was to get the nation's schools and educators involved in teaching the history of Black Americans.
Negro History Week

1926

The nation was slow to celebrate Negro History Week. It was first celebrated in North Carolina, Delaware, West Virginia and the municipalities of Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC.
Black History Month

1969

Black Educators and The Black United Students at Kent State proposed the first Black History Month.
Black History Month

1970

The first Black History Month was held at Kent State from January 2 to February 28, 1970. A few years later it was being celebrated around the country at educational institutions and other organizations.
Black History Month

1976

In 1976 at a celebration of the nation's Bicentennial, President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month and encouraged Americans to honor the achievements of Black Americans.
Black History Month

2024

All American Presidents have designated February as Black History Month since President Ford's recognition. In 2012, President Barack Obama joins in singing at the White House while celebrating Black History Month.