From Black History Week to Black History Month: The Legacy and Ongoing Battle for Recognition
Black History Month, now a cornerstone of cultural recognition and education in the United States and beyond, began as a single week of observance. Its origins trace back to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a pioneering historian and educator who made it his life’s work to ensure that Black history was studied, honored, and woven into the broader American narrative.
The Birth of Negro History Week
On February 7, 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH)—now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)—launched Negro History Week. Woodson, often called the “Father of Black History,” was determined to challenge the exclusion and misrepresentation of Black achievements in mainstream education.
He deliberately selected the second week of February for this observance, as it coincided with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (February 14) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12)—both widely celebrated within Black communities. By anchoring the week to these figures, Woodson sought to emphasize Black agency in shaping history while also encouraging schools and institutions to engage in structured learning.
Negro History Week quickly gained traction, embraced by schools, churches, and community organizations across the country. Still, Woodson envisioned something greater: a future where Black history was not confined to a single week, but fully integrated into mainstream education.
The Expansion to Black History Month
By the late 1960s, amid the Civil Rights Movement and a growing emphasis on Black identity and pride, students and activists at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) began expanding the weeklong observance into a full month.
This momentum led to a turning point in 1976 when President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month during the United States Bicentennial celebration. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” From that moment, February became a nationally recognized month dedicated to honoring Black excellence, resilience, and contributions across all aspects of society.
A Global Legacy
Today, Black History Month is observed beyond the United States, including in Canada (February) and the United Kingdom (October), each adapting the celebration to reflect their own histories and cultural narratives. Woodson’s vision has not only endured but expanded, influencing how Black history is studied and appreciated worldwide.
The Current Challenge: The Fight to Preserve Black History
While Black History Month has become a fixture in American culture, it has also faced ongoing efforts to diminish its value. In recent years, state and federal policies have sought to erase or downplay Black history in school curricula, limit discussions about systemic racism, and challenge the significance of Black contributions to American history. These attacks reflect a broader movement to sanitize history—one that threatens to undo the very progress Woodson fought for nearly a century ago.
The push to suppress historical truths is not just about curriculum; it is about power. If we allow Black history to be minimized, we allow the achievements, struggles, and resilience of Black people to be forgotten. We cannot afford to let this happen.
Continuing Woodson’s Vision
Black History Month was never meant to be a token observance—it was a call to action. Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s mission reminds us that Black history is American history, deserving of year-round study, discussion, and preservation. His work laid the foundation for continued advocacy in education, ensuring that future generations understand the full scope of Black achievements and struggles.
As we celebrate Black History Month today, we must also defend it. This is not just about remembering the past—it is about protecting the truth for future generations. The battle for historical integrity is ongoing, and it requires educators, leaders, and communities to resist attempts to erase Black voices from the narrative.
So, the challenge remains: Will we uphold Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s vision, or will we allow history to be rewritten?