Known as the “Father of Black History”, Carter G. Woodson was the son of formerly enslaved people and understood the importance of gaining a proper education when striving to secure and maximize one’s divine right of freedom.
The story of Black History Month begins in Chicago in 1915, Carter G. Woodson traveled from Washington, D.C. to participate in a national celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation sponsored by the State of Illinois. Inspired by the three-week celebration of the 1912 Republican Convention held at the Coliseum, Woodson decided to form an organization to promote the scientific study of Black life and history before leaving town.
Woodson chose February for reasons of tradition and reform. It is commonly said that Woodson selected February to encompass the birthdays of two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping Black history, namely Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays are February 12th and the 14th, respectively.
When Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926, he realized the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public. The intention has never been to dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience but to bring to the public’s attention important developments that merit emphasis.
This year’s theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” marks 100 years since Carter G. Woodson launched Negro History Week in 1926. The theme honors the legacy of Black history education while reflecting on how the study and celebration of Black life, culture, resistance, and achievement have shaped national and global understanding over the past century. It also calls on communities to continue expanding, preserving, and uplifting Black stories for future generations.
Source: asalh.org