IN one particular month of the year we celebrate the achievements of black men and women throughout history; and from inception, that month has always been February. Origin

Black History Month can be traced back to Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950),a son of former slaves, who was an amazing man in his own right.

Although his family was too poor to send him to school, he taught himself the basics of a school education. At age 20, Woodson was finally able to attend high school, which he completed in just two years.

He then went on to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago; and in 1912, became only the second African-American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University (W.E.B. Du Bois was the first).

Woodson used his hard-earned education to teach, both in public schools and at Howard University.

In 1915 he travelled to Chicago to participate in a three-week celebration of the 50th anniversary of the end of slavery. Before leaving Chicago, Woodson and four others created the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) on September 9, 1915. The following year the ASNLH began publication of the Journal of Negro History.

Woodson realised that most textbooks at the time ignored the history and achievements of blacks; and in addition to the journal, he wanted to find a way to encourage interest and study of black history. So in 1926 Woodson promoted the idea of a “Negro History Week” which was to be held during the second week of February.

Woodson chose the second week of February to celebrate Negro History Week because that week included the birthdays of two important men: President Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14).
The idea caught on quickly, and Negro History Week was soon celebrated around the United States.

With a high demand for study materials, the ASNLH began to produce pictures, posters and lesson plans to help teachers bring Negro History Week into schools.

In 1937 the ASNLH also began producing the Negro History Bulletin which focused on an annual theme for Negro History Week.

In 1976 the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Negro History Week and the bicentennial of the United States’ Independence, Black History Week was expanded to Black History Month. Ever since then, Black History Month has been celebrated around the country in February.

How Celebrated
There is no shortage of ways to celebrate black history. Teachers give lessons to students about important aspects of African-American history; bookstores highlight the works of black poets and writers, and galleries display the work of black artists. Museums feature exhibitions with African-American themes, and theatres present plays with African-American subject matter.

African-American churches celebrate the month with a slew of events that raise awareness about the achievements of blacks in the USA. The holiday is also celebrated in February in Canada and in October in the United Kingdom.
Written By Michelle Gonsalves