Black History Week

"Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history"  ~Dr. Carter G. Woodson

The History of Black History Month!

We celebrate it, throw our power first up in February while the cold air hits our kinky curls, but how did black history month got started?

Ever heard of the name Dr. Carter Woodson? No…. I am not surprised. Our schooling system usually briefly talks about Martin Luther king and moves on. Hmmm no wonder we got the shortest month in the year.

No shade no tea, anywayyyys , Dr. Carter G. Woodson, publisher, editor, author and historian, believe that you need to know your history in order to succeed in America. He was known as the father of black history for publishing multiple books and magazines about the roles of blacks in America. Born in New Canton, Buckingham County, Virginia, to the former slaves known as Anne Eliza and James Henry Woodson. He gave his dad the credit for his success in life although his parents could not write nor read.

Furthermore, Dr. Carter G. Woodson created Black history month in 1926 in the 2nd week of February, it was first known as  “Negro History Week “. The reason why it was in February is because of Frederick Douglass’ birthday and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is in February. It was created to promote the history of blacks in America since a lot of school systems did not teach about Black history. This Black history week was later expanded to Black history month and was officially recognized by the U.S. government in 1976.

 

Dr. Carter G. Woodson (12/19/1875-4/3/1950)

Suggested Readings by Woodson

• The Mis-Education of the Negro (1933)
• A Century of Negro Migration (1918)
• The Negro in Our History (1922)