Black historian Carter G. Woodson was the first who came up with a concept called Negro History Week back in 1926. His idea was noble that of building self-worth in an oppressed people, preserving a marginalized subject and proving to a nation so deeply wounded by racism that children of Africa played a crucial role in modern civilization. Woodson chose February because it Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were born during this month. The historian’s organization is now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and in 1976 turned from one-week event into a whole month of appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs that underline the importance and appreciation of the African American history. Public officials, educators, librarians and mostly every United States’ citizen were part of the event.

 

The chairman of the history department at Howard University said that maintaining the Black History Month was very important to enforce and build upon the country’s racial gains.