Intro to Black History Month

Every February since we were kids we’ve been celebrating the history of African-Americans during the month known as Black History Month.  As we studied the challenges and history of Blacks in America very few have studied the origin of Black History Month. Before there was an entire month recognizing the strides of African-Americans there was only a week. Carter G. Woodson the child of two slaves started what was once known as Negro History Week. After realizing that Blacks were rarely mentioned in history books, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. Shortly after, in 1926 he decided to bring national recognition to the contributions of Blacks through the establishment of Negro History Week. Starting in the 1940s cities began making the shift from Negro History Week to Negro History Month. Finally in 1976, 50 years after the first celebration of Negro History Week, Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History managed to institutionalize the shifts from a week to a month and to change the name from Negro History to Black History.

Many often wonder why Black History month is in February, the shortest month of the year. Truth is, Woodson originally chose the second week in February because it marked the birth week of both Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two influential people in African American history. Woodson always felt that a race rather than two people truly make up the history of Blacks. Woodson was right and February serves as an important month for many other things in Black History such as the birth of W.E.B. DuBois (Feb. 23), the passing of the 15^th Amendment (Feb. 3), the NAACP  was founded (Feb.12), and the assassination of Malcolm X(Feb. 21)  among other things. Carter G. Woodson died April 3^rd, 1950 but his contribution to Americans specifically Black Americans will never be forgotten.

After learning a brief history of Black History Month, Haraya invites you to come celebrate and learn about African-American History. We encourage you not only to come out and support Haraya events but also the events of our umbrella and partner organizations. Learn things you didn’t know, discuss issues you feel are important and most importantly make friends and become a part of something bigger than yourself.