The origin of Black History Month starts with Carter G. Woodson. Born in 1875 in Virginia, Woodson completed high school in two years and went on to earn degrees from the University of Chicago and Harvard. He believed that African American students should be taught more about their heritage and worked throughout his life to make it happen.
In 1915, Woodson helped found the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History which later became known as
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). In February 1926, Carter G. Woodson announced the first Negro History Week to recognize and celebrate Black history and heritage.
Woodson continued to educate our nation and the world, founding the Associated Publishers Press, authoring over 20 books, and working in education as a principal and dean.
Shortly after Woodson's death and exactly 50 years after the first Negro History Week, the ASALH made the change to Black History Month. Learn more about Carter G. Woodson and his tireless efforts
here.
Works Cited: Sarah Pruitt. "Carter G. Woodson: The Man Behind Black History Month." HISTORY. 2017.
https://www.history.com/news/the-man-behind-black-history-month