Dr Carter G Woodson Essay

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, born in New Canton, Virginia, is one of the first African-Americans to receive a doctorate from Harvard University. His worked centered on exploring the depths of African American history. As a published historian and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (later the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History), Woodson lobbied and encouraged schools to participate in programs that cultivated the study of African American history. The programs began in February 1926 as Negro History Week. He selected February to honor the birth months of abolitionist Frederick Douglas and President Abraham Lincoln. It was well known that both Douglas’ and Lincoln’s birthdays were celebrated widely in the United States. Woodson was aware of the celebration for both men’s lives. It is well-known that he wanted to expand on these celebrations to include dialogues about other

In the 1940s, about 10 years prior to Woodson’s death, the state of West Virginia began celebrating Negro History Month. Nearly 20 years later, Midwestern cities would follow suit with creating opportunities to expand the celebration for the entire month of February. Chicago, Illinois cultural activist Frederic H. Hammurabi helped to organize the Negro History Month and began incorporating themes from African history in the celebration. The Black United Students at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio organized one of the first Black History Month celebrations on a college campus in February 1969. Seven years later, 1976, in celebration of the United States Bicentennial President Gerald Ford recognized the need to honor the accomplishments of African Americans. Thus, this marked the beginning of the month-long national celebration in the United States. Mayo Clinic has participated in the celebration of the rich history of African