Carter G. Woodson

Happy Black History Month!

February marks Black History Month, a federally recognized, nationwide celebration that calls on all Americans to reflect on the significant roles that African-Americans have played in shaping US history.

But how did this celebration come to be — and why does it happen in February?

Carter G. Woodson, considered a pioneer in the study of African-American history, is given much of the credit for Black History Month.

How the Holiday Came About:
Disturbed that history textbooks largely ignored America’s black population, Woodson took on the challenge of writing black Americans into the nation’s history.

Why February was chosen as the month:
-Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery and became an abolitionist and civil rights leader; though his birthdate isn’t known, he celebrated it on February 14.
-President Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery in America’s confederate states; he was born on February 12.

Get to know more about the Father of Black History Month by checking out the following CNN article:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/01/us/history-of-black-history-month-trnd/index.html

We’ll continue to highlight prominent African-Americans throughout the month! We encourage you all to share the wealth of knowledge with your families!