100 Years: the History of Black History Month
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Every February, the United States of America enters Black History Month, a time to learn about, uplift and honor Black American history and its legacy. It’s a well-known celebration, but not many know about the history of the month itself – how it came to be or who was a part of its creation. This year, it’s Black History Month’s hundred-year anniversary, an important milestone in not only recognizing Black history, but also the fight for its preservation.
The inception of Black History Month began with Carter G. Woodson. An academic and historian, he had obtained a graduate degree from the University of Chicago in 1908 and a PhD in history from Harvard University in 1912, becoming the second Black American (after W.E.B. DuBois) to obtain a PhD and the only child of enslaved parents to ever do so.
In 1915, three years after getting his PhD, Woodson attended an event in Washington, D.C. celebrating the 50th anniversary of the emancipation of slavery and the progress and social contributions made by Black Americans since. Inspired by this and convinced of the importance of this mission, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), its goals aimed on documenting and studying Black history in the United States. A year later, he expanded by founding the Journal of Negro History, where he and other academics would publish their studies. Woodson constantly urged Black American organizations, such as his own Omega Psi Phi fraternity, to promote and contribute to documentation of Black history and achievements.
His efforts culminated in yet another creation, one that would eventually become Black History Month: Negro History Week. In February 1926, he sent out a press release announcing the week, beginning a powerful tradition. Woodson chose February to encompass Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays (on the 12th and 14th, respectively), but didn’t consider these two men to be central to the purpose of honoring Black history, despite their historical roles. He believed in people as a whole making up history, culture and tradition and wanted to honor Black communities and individuals who helped with the advancement of society. Woodson’s determination paid off: Negro History Week took off across the United States, with educational materials being in particularly high demand by high schools and universities throughout the nation. Decades later, in 1976, President Gerald Ford, encouraged by the ASNLH, issued a Presidential message recognizing Black History Month. However, it wasn’t until a decade later that Congress, under President Ronald Reagan, passed a Public Law designating February as “National Black History Month”.
This is Black History Month as we know it today, but its origins serve as a strong testament to and reminder of its purpose. Carter G. Woodson’s death in 1950 left an immeasurable legacy: the ASNLH and the Journal of African-American History (as it is now called) are still thriving and respected academic institutions, and his founding of Black History Month has carved out a definitive place for the reckoning with and recognition of Black people’s contributions and their history. Everyone who participates in Black History Month participates in celebrating Woodson’s legacy. Looking back is the only way to definitively move forward, a mantra Woodson led his life by and one we can all learn from.
