It’s February and the beginning of Black History Month. Only this idea for education and promotion of Black history didn’t just come about on a whim. 

According to an NPR article published this week, a man named Carter G. Woodson first came up with the idea in 1926. His parents were recently freed Virginian slaves, and he worried that Black children were not being taught about their own ancestry as stated from FOX ktvu.

As quoted from Carter G. Woodson “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”

Black History Month celebrates the rich culture and sacrifices that the African American community have made for this country. According to Beaumont Enterprise, February became designated as Black History Month ultimately because it contains the birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both looked upon as influential figures who had an effect on African American history in the US.  History.com  explains that it was extended from the original two weeks to a month when President Gerald Ford declared he wanted to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” 

Since then Black History Month has been celebrated every February for over 52 years. People have taken the time to recognize Black history in many different ways. Some of these ways include performances, online discussions, and special exhibits as stated by the Inquirer.

So this February, take some time to remember and reflect on the sacrifices and impact African Americans have had on our history.