Celebrating Black History Month

February has many holidays but it was chosen as Black History Month to honor the birth of two men who greatly changed the course of history for African Americans – Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

In 1920, the founder of the observance, Dr. Carter Woodson started an association that's now called The Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson intended to educate others about the achievements and contributions of African Americans in U.S. and world history.

He wrote a newsletter for Harvard University campus, where he was the second black man to graduate. By February 1926, his fraternity organized black history week and provided learning materials for teachers, black history clubs and the community.

By the 1950s, Black History Week became observed on a wider scale. In 1976, it became a month-long observance celebrated nationwide. Although your kids will likely complete lessons in school on the topic, continue it with discussions about President Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass, a publisher and leading abolitionist who dedicated his life to ending slavery.

Content provided by Oakland University.

Resource: biography.com/about-black-history-month