Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Carter Godwin Woodson, CGW, was an African-American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
Dr. CGW was a huge advocate for organizing the first recognition for Afro-Americans to Americans in America. This recognition became known as Black History Month. However, when presented the years prior to 1926, it was designed to be observed during the second week of February. It was to be known as Negro History Week.
February 10 1946
Who is Carter G. Woodson?
Like many African Americans living during his time, he was born of two parents who were once slaves. The year was 1875, December 19. As a young man he grew up in Kentucky while working as a coal miner. In 1896, CGW would enroll into high school at age 20. In just two years he would graduate and receive acceptance to attend Harvard University. While attending classes he would realize that there were absolutely no courses and zero mention of Afro-Americans in any of the school's history books. This struck him as unusual and unsettling. Post gradating with his PhD he would decide to become a historian and make his life's purpose to complete the goal in exposing and presenting Afro-Americans as a people with purpose and definition.
The year is now 1926 and the Negro History Week Program has been approved. Yes, this was ninety-one years ago. Initially CGW chose Negro History Week to be observed throughout the second week of February because during that week it features two great people in Black History. Greats such as Fredrick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Fifty years later, beginning the 1st of February 1976, the second week for recognizing Negro History Week expanded to become observed throughout the full complete month of February. It would be renamed Black History Month.
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For more facts on Dr. Carter G. Woodson
and the History of Black History Month,
click the links in Italic above and below.
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