Father of Black History
Written by Atu on March 4, 2021
There was a noted teacher, educator and historian from Virginia who was the founder of The Association For The Study of Negro Life. He wrote the Journal of Negro History, originated Negro History Week and studied more than a dozen works dealing with African-Americans in the United States. The name Carter G. Woodson has rang bells nationwide as the Father of Black history.
Carter G. Woodson developed Negro History Week as the second week of February in 1926. That particular week was important because it marked the birthdays of two men whom he felt greatly influenced Black Americans at the time. President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is February 12th and Frederick Douglass’ birthday is February 14th.
Negro History Week expanded into Black History Month 50 years later in 1976. Unfortunately, Woodson died April 3, 1950 and didn’t live to see the expansion.
