In the United States, February is Black History month.
In the United States, February is Black History Month. I thought it would be interesting to see how that started and who the person who started it was. In 1915, fifty years after the 13th amendment abolished slavery, the beginnings of Black History month, which was at that time called "Negro History week" started. Harvard trained historian Carter G Woodson and other prominate people of the time, started the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This organization was dedicated to researching and promoting the achievements of black Americans and other peoples of African descent. The group is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). They chose the second week of February as "Negro History Week" because it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. This week was celebrated for decades with local celebrations, lectures, performances , etc… Yet, in the 1960's, largely do to the civil rights movement and the awareness of Black identity, "Negro History week" turned into "Black History month". This month was officially recognized for the first time by President Ford in 1976.
Black History Month started as "Negro History Week"
Carter G. Woodson, who helped to bring African American history to the masses, was born in 1875 in Virginia to former slaves. His parents were both illiterate and Woodson himself did not attend primary school regularly due to helping at his family's farm. However, he taught himself and was able to master most subjects on his own. When he hoped to start secondary school at the age of 17 he instead went to work in the coal mines of West Virginia. At age 20 he went to secondary school and graduated two years later. He also went to Berea College, graduated and was a school teacher. Later he would attend the University of Chicago and earn a PhD in history from Harvard. Believing that black history was being ignored he helped to found the ASNLH and started the Journal of Negro History. This journal is still published today under the name Journal of African American History. He championed his cause till he died. He once told a lady friend he could not go to dinner because she was trying to marry him off, and he was married to his work.
Carter Woodson was one of the early African Americans that started to bring the rich history of his people to the forefront, there are many more people you can research too.
While Carter Woodson was one of the early African Americans that started to bring the rich history of his people to the forefront, there are many more people you can research too. This was just a brief history, and I highly recommend that you to look up some of the people who helped to bring African American history to the masses and those who helped make this country great.
If you need any help finding your ancestors, just let us know.
Sources
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_G._Woodson
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Carter_G._Woodson_%282367068671%29.jpg
