The Origins of Black History Month
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
The idea for having a time dedicated to the efforts of African Americans was around for quite some time. The two men that actually took action into making it happen were Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Rev. Jesse E. Moorland, the co-founders of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This took place in 1915. Their goal in founding this organization was to research the often ignored history of African Americans while at the same time bringing awareness to the major and yet crucial role that African Americans played in not only America but in the world.
The year after establishing this organization Dr. Woodson published his findings from his research, hoping to educate African Americans on their heritage and at the same time instill a since of pride about their race.
Education was very important to Dr. Woodson and he understood the value of it. He was the son of a former slave and the second black man to get a degree from Harvard University, something that was definitely not a norm and can be noted as a great achievement for that time period.
Although Dr. Woodson was making progress in the world with getting his degree, he also saw the importance of remembering one's past and from his suggestion, the fraternity of Omega Psi Phi created Negro History and Literature Week in 1920.
After 6 years, Dr. Woodson changed the name to Negro History Week. He selected a week in the month of February to honor the births of two men whose actions in history changed the future of African Americans in the United States. The two men were President Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, born February 12th and Frederick Douglas, one of the nation's leading abolitionist, born on February 14th.
The ASNLH provided learning materials to teachers, black clubs, and the community as a whole. They also published pictures depicting important African Americans. As well as plays that dramatized black history, and reading materials.
The year after establishing this organization Dr. Woodson published his findings from his research, hoping to educate African Americans on their heritage and at the same time instill a since of pride about their race.
Education was very important to Dr. Woodson and he understood the value of it. He was the son of a former slave and the second black man to get a degree from Harvard University, something that was definitely not a norm and can be noted as a great achievement for that time period.
Although Dr. Woodson was making progress in the world with getting his degree, he also saw the importance of remembering one's past and from his suggestion, the fraternity of Omega Psi Phi created Negro History and Literature Week in 1920.
After 6 years, Dr. Woodson changed the name to Negro History Week. He selected a week in the month of February to honor the births of two men whose actions in history changed the future of African Americans in the United States. The two men were President Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, born February 12th and Frederick Douglas, one of the nation's leading abolitionist, born on February 14th.
The ASNLH provided learning materials to teachers, black clubs, and the community as a whole. They also published pictures depicting important African Americans. As well as plays that dramatized black history, and reading materials.
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