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The origin of Black History Month
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While African Americans have always been a part of the fabric that stretches across the American history timeline, it wasn’t until the 20th century that their achievements and struggles for civil rights and freedom were recognized in history books.
Black History Month started out as “Negro History Week” in 1926, according to the online encyclopedia www.infoplease.com.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson established the Journal of Negro History in 1916, and launched “Negro History Week” in 1926. According to the online encyclopedia, Woodson was the son of slaves, and he worked in Kentucky coalmines until he enrolled in high school at the age of 20. Woodson went on to earn a Ph.D at Harvard. During his studies, Woodson was upset to find that history books ignored African American contributions to American history.
Woodson chose the second week of February for “Negro History Week,” because it marks the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two men whose influence on African American history is great.
In 1976, “Negro History Week” was extended to cover the entire month of February, allowing for more events and activities.
The Cultural Center at Boise State orchestrated a series of events to celebrate Black History Month. At noon on Tuesday, Feb. 22, the Cultural Center will show the video, “Martin Luther King Jr.: Letter from Birmingham Jail.” A discussion will follow. The Cultural Center is located on the second floor of the SUB. Thursday, Feb. 24, Caravan, an African drumming and singing group, will perform on the Student Union Brava! Stage at 12:30 p.m. Both events are free.
Aside from Douglass and Lincoln’s birthdays, February holds many important dates in African American history.
February 23, 1868:
W. E. B. DuBois, important civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP, was born.
February 3, 1870:
The 15th Amendment was passed, granting African Americans the right to vote.
February 25, 1870:
The first black U.S. senator, Hiram R. Revels (1822-1901), took his oath of office.
February 12, 1909:
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was
founded by a group of concerned black and white citizens in New York City.
February 4, 1913:
Rosa Parks, initiator of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, was born.
February 22, 1950:
Julius Erving (Dr. J), NBA Hall of Fame basketball player, was born.
February 1, 1960:
In what would become a civil-rights movement milestone, a group of Greensboro,
N.C., college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter.
February 21, 1965:
Malcolm X, the militant leader who promoted Black Nationalism, was shot to death by three Black Muslims.
February 8, 1968:
Three South Carolina State students are killed during segregation protests in Orangeburg, S.C.
Dates cited from www.infoplease.com and Black Legacy 2005: A Calendar of Black American Achievements.
Randall Post
Assistant News Editor
