Why February For Black History Month?

Hello, and welcome to our celebration of Black History Month! TheVillageCelebration produces content all year devoted to recognizing African Americans value and perspective – in every aspect of American society – and, we are particularly excited to share our stories during February.

Some critics have decried the selection of February as Black History Month, noting it is the shortest month of the year. So why February?

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who was a dedicated advocate of African American success, chose February because the great abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, and President Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery, were born in the second week of February. Both Lincoln and Douglass played pivotal roles in Black history.

Woodson knew about overcoming obstacles. Born in 1875 to former slaves, his education was hit-or-miss in the early years because he worked in the coal mines of his home state, West Virginia, to help supplement his father’s income.

At the age of 20, Woodson started high school. His desire to acquire an education propelled him through high school in two years. He then taught school and became a principal. Eventually, he attended college in Kentucky where he earned a Bachelor’s degree, obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago and his Ph.D from Harvard – making him the second Black American to do so after W.E.B. DuBois.

When the American Historical Association appeared disinterested in studying Black Americans’ contributions and barred Woodson from attending its conferences despite having paid his dues, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915.

Woodson started his national observation of Black History with one week. In time his concept was expanded to an entire month. The noted and admired historian and author died from a heart attack in 1950.