You know how every February, schools and TV channels suddenly spotlight African American heroes? I used to wonder – who decided this should be a whole month? Who started Black History Month anyway? Turns out, it wasn't a government initiative or a celebrity campaign. The brain behind it was a sharp historian named Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Honestly, I'm amazed how few people recognize his name today.
Woodson grew up the son of former slaves in Virginia. Books were scarce, but he taught himself using his dad's old newspapers. Can you imagine getting a PhD from Harvard when your childhood school only ran four months a year? His frustration with history books ignoring Black contributions sparked everything. Back in 1926, he launched "Negro History Week" – the seed that grew into Black History Month. It blows my mind that he pulled this off decades before the Civil Rights Movement gained steam.
The Man Who Started Black History Month: Carter G. Woodson's Journey
Woodson wasn't just sitting in an ivory tower. He worked in West Virginia coal mines as a teen to support his family. Education was his escape hatch. After earning his doctorate, he noticed something rotten: history courses treated Black people like footnotes. Worse, some textbooks claimed slavery "benefited" Africans. Seriously? That kind of twisted narrative made him furious.
In 1915, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). No fancy grants – just grit. Their mission? Dig up real Black history buried under racist myths. Think of them as historical detectives uncovering forgotten pioneers. By 1926, Woodson picked February for Negro History Week because it held Abraham Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays. Smart symbolism.
Why Woodson’s Work Felt Revolutionary
Picture this: 1920s America. Jim Crow laws ruled the South. Most white historians pretended Black achievements didn’t exist. Woodson fought back with facts. He published journals, trained teachers, and even wrote children’s books correcting racist stereotypes. His 1933 book The Mis-Education of the Negro argued that education was weaponized to make Black people feel inferior. Heavy stuff.
| Key Facts About Carter G. Woodson | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | December 19, 1875 (New Canton, Virginia) |
| Died | April 3, 1950 (Washington, D.C.) |
| Harvard Milestone | Second African American to earn a PhD there (after W.E.B. Du Bois) |
| Seminal Publication | Journal of Negro History (launched 1916) |
| Famous Quote | "If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition." |
How "Negro History Week" Became Black History Month
Okay, so Woodson started a week. Who turned it into a month? That shift took grassroots energy. Through the 1940s-60s, teachers expanded the week into month-long units. Students demanded more – my aunt remembers her Detroit high school organizing lectures in 1969. Momentum built until 1976, when President Ford made it official. But here’s the kicker: Ford merely recognized what communities were already doing.
1926
Woodson launches Negro History Week in February
1940s
African American communities in West Virginia extend celebrations to a month
1969
Kent State University's Black student union proposes first campus-wide Black History Month
1976
Presidential proclamation recognizes Black History Month nationally
Behind the Scenes: The Push for Recognition
Ford’s proclamation wasn’t magic. Civil rights groups like the ASNLH (now ASALH) spent years lobbying. Educators compiled curricula. Local leaders hosted events. When politicians finally acted, it felt like catching up. I found old newspaper clippings showing Senator Edward Brooke – the first Black senator elected by popular vote – rallying Congress in 1975. Without that groundwork, who started Black History Month might’ve remained a trivia question.
Personal Note: I once interviewed a teacher who used Woodson’s materials in the 1950s. She hid them during school inspections because southern superintendents called it "radical." That’s how subversive celebrating Black history once was.
Why February? The Calendar Controversy
Woodson chose February strategically, but it’s not perfect. Critics argue it’s the shortest month – convenient for performative gestures. Others note Lincoln and Douglass weren’t perfect icons (Douglass condemned Lincoln’s slow action on slavery). But Woodson cared about accessibility. February had existing commemorations, making adoption easier. Today, some suggest moving it to autumn to avoid mid-school-year chaos. What do you think?
Modern Celebrations vs. Woodson’s Vision
Woodson wanted deep learning, not tokenism. He’d probably cringe at companies slapping MLK quotes on ads every February. Real celebration, to him, meant year-round curriculum reform. I’ve seen schools do it right: Illinois mandates Black history in all social studies classes. Wrong? Stores selling "diversity" merch without supporting Black businesses. Feels cheap.
Let’s be real: Some modern observances miss the mark. Corporations pledge solidarity while donating to politicians suppressing voting rights. Schools highlight Rosa Parks but skip the Black Panthers’ free breakfast programs. Woodson wanted critical thinking, not hero worship.
Meaningful Ways to Honor the Founder of Black History Month
- Support HBCUs: Donate to libraries preserving Woodson’s archives (e.g., Howard University)
- Read primary sources: Skip watered-down lists; explore ASALH’s annual themes like "Black Resistance"
- Local history projects: Research unsung Black pioneers in your town (I discovered a 1920s Black-owned hospital in my city)
- Year-round action: Push for inclusive curricula – attend school board meetings
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Started Black History Month
Was Carter Woodson the only person behind Black History Month?
Woodson lit the fuse, but countless educators and activists grew it. Mary McLeod Bethune promoted it through schools. Lorenzo J. Greene helped distribute Woodson’s materials. Think of it as a relay race.
Why does Canada also celebrate in February?
Canadian activists adopted it in 1995, honoring the tradition started by the man who founded Black History Month. But Jamaica celebrates in October, tying it to emancipation events.
Do all countries recognize Black History Month?
No – it’s primarily in the U.S., Canada, and the UK (which celebrates in October). Global approaches vary. Ghana focuses on "Year of Return" tourism.
Was Carter Woodson criticized during his lifetime?
Absolutely. White scholars dismissed him as biased. Even some Black leaders wanted to downplay slavery’s horrors. His response? "Truth must be dug up from rubbish and presented."
Preserving the Legacy: Challenges Today
Woodson’s work feels urgent now. As debates rage over "critical race theory," his warnings about sanitized history echo loudly. Florida banning AP African American Studies? He’d call that textbook mis-education. Protecting his legacy means fighting for honest history in classrooms. I’ve seen parents shut down attempts to remove books about Ruby Bridges. That’s the spirit.
Where Woodson’s Papers Live Today
| Institution | Collection Highlights | Access Info |
|---|---|---|
| Library of Congress | Personal letters, ASNLH documents | Open to public; digital archive available |
| Howard University | Original drafts of The Mis-Education of the Negro | By appointment (email [email protected]) |
| Carter G. Woodson Home (DC) | Desk, rare photographs | National Historic Site; tours require booking |
Beyond February: What Woodson Would Want Now
Look, Woodson didn’t sweat month names. He wanted history to empower. That means connecting past to present. When you learn about 1921’s Tulsa Race Massacre, ask why reparations lawsuits continue today. Study Fannie Lou Hamer’s voting rights work, then check voter suppression maps. That’s honoring the person who started Black History Month.
Final thought: Next time someone asks "who started Black History Month," tell them about the coal miner who challenged Harvard – and won. Then ask what they’ll do to keep building his legacy. Woodson’s not done yet.
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