February Is National African-American History Month!

February has been proclaimed National African-American History Month, more commonly known as Black History Month. This month is set aside to recognize the achievements and contributions by African Americans. The observance of this special period dates from February 1926, when it was established as Negro History Week by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a noted African-American author and scholar. Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH) in 1915. He established the week during the period of February, which contains the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

Negro History Week was inspiring to communities across the country. Many organized local celebrations and established historical clubs to study the history of black Americans while educating others as well. Negro History Week proved so popular that, by the late 1960s, it had evolved into Black History Week. In 1976, the month of February was established as Black History Month.

Throughout Black History Month, the country remembers and celebrates the accomplishments of notable black figures in American history.

For most elementary-school students, it might be hard to believe that there was once a time when African-American people did not have the same rights as other Americans. Now, we have President Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American United States president, in office. However, there was a time when African-Americans were not even allowed to vote. Frederick Douglass fought to change that. Frederick Douglass was one of the leaders of the abolitionist movement, which sought to end slavery in the United States decades before the Civil War. During the Civil War, Douglass served as an adviser to President Abraham Lincoln. He fought for the adoption of constitutional amendments that would guarantee voting rights and other civil liberties for African Americans.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford called upon the public to honor the history and accomplishments of black Americans by officially recognizing February as Black History Month. Since Ford’s official recognition more than 35 years ago, each President has designated February as Black History Month.

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