The Origin and Purpose of Black History Month - Higher Education

The Origin and Purpose of Black History Month - Higher Education: History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is also a compass that people use to find themselves on the map of human geography. History tells a people where they have been and what they have been, where they are and what they are. Most important, history tells a people where they still must go, what they still must be. The relationship of history to the people is the same as the relationship of a mother to her child.

– J.H. Clarke

February is observed as “Black History Month” in America.

Its precursor, “Negro History Week,” was created by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926 and observed on the second week of February.

A staunch Republican, Woodson chose that week in that month to honor the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

Woodson created Negro History Week because Black Americans and their accomplishments were largely left out of the educational curricula of that time. Where Blacks were mentioned, it was usually very demeaning imagery or discriminatory ideas.

Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro (now African-American) Life and History in 1915 and the Journal of Negro History in 1916. He was dedicated to helping educate Black and White Americans about Blacks and their accomplishments and potential in a way that would benefit everyone.