Black History Month Origins

Black History Month Origins

Black History Month: Carter G. Woodson’s Legacy and Why It Still Matters

No one has done more to make sure we know our history than Carter G. Woodson—the man who created what we now call Black History Month. Back in 1926, he launched Negro History Week in February, making sure our stories weren’t erased, ignored, or rewritten.

Woodson wasn’t just any historian. He was only the second Black person to earn a Ph.D. in history from Harvard (W.E.B. Du Bois beat him to it by a few years), but he didn’t just want to sit in an ivory tower debating theories. He saw history as a weapon—a tool for empowerment, a way to lift Black folks up and make sure we understood our worth.

So, in 1916, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and Culture to make our history accessible—because at the time, the only mentions of Black people in books and newspapers were the kind meant to demean us. He knew that had to change. And he wasn’t the patient type.

By 1926, Woodson made his move: Negro History Week was born, landing in the second week of February to honor both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays. But let’s be clear—this wasn’t some random decision. The 1920s were a time of Black brilliance. The Harlem Renaissance was in full swing. Langston Hughes, Georgia Douglas Johnson, and Claude McKay were writing about the depth of Black life. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington were shaping the sound of the future. Aaron Douglas, Richmond Barthé, and Lois Jones were redefining how we saw ourselves in art. Woodson wasn’t just responding to the times—he was trying to push them forward.

The Purpose of Black History Month

Woodson had two goals:

  1. Prove to White America that Black people had played an essential role in building this country and deserved full citizenship.
  2. Increase the visibility of Black history in a world that preferred to pretend we didn’t exist beyond slavery and struggle.

Negro History Week became Black History Month in 1976, but the question today is: Do we still need it? Some people say Black history is everywhere now—on TV, in pop culture, in politics. Has its purpose been served? Or has it become just another annual school project, another corporate marketing campaign?

Here’s the truth: Woodson’s vision is still relevant as hell. Yes, we’ve made progress, but we are not free. Our history is still being banned in classrooms. Our achievements are still being downplayed. Our struggles are still ongoing. Black History Month isn’t just a celebration—it’s a reminder. A call to action. A moment to reclaim what’s ours.

Why We Still Need Black History Month

We need to draw strength from our past. History is our fuel. It’s the reason we keep pushing forward. How can you hear the story of Henry “Box” Brown—who literally mailed himself to freedom—and not believe in resilience? How can you learn about Madam C.J. Walker’s empire and not feel inspired to build your own? How can you hear Mamie Till’s voice and not be reminded of the power of truth?

When life gets rough, we can find comfort in the words of Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, and Gwendolyn Brooks. We can hear our history in the rhythms of Louis Armstrong, Sam Cooke, and Dinah Washington. And we can honor our ancestors by carrying their stories forward.

History is Now

Black History Month isn’t just about looking back—it’s about understanding that history is alive in us today. It’s in the way we fight, the way we love, the way we create, and the way we push forward despite every obstacle.

Woodson knew this truth: A people steeped in their history are unstoppable. That’s why we celebrate. That’s why we remember. And that’s why Black History Month still matters.

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