Black History Month Marks 100 Years of Education and Legacy

This year marks a major milestone for Black History Month, as the observance reaches 100 years of educating Americans about the history, achievements, and contributions of African Americans. What began as a small, focused effort has grown into a nationwide tradition and a lasting part of American culture.

The roots of Black History Month trace back to historian Carter G. Woodson, whose determination reshaped how history is studied and taught. Born in 1877 in Virginia to parents who had been enslaved, Woodson faced steep obstacles from an early age. His formal schooling was limited, and he delayed high school until the age of 20 so he could work in a coal mine to support himself.

Despite those challenges, Woodson excelled academically. He earned a bachelor’s degree in literature in 1903, followed by a graduate degree from the University of Chicago in 1908. In 1912, he made history himself by becoming the second African American, after W.E.B. Du Bois, to earn a doctorate from Harvard University.

Even with his credentials, Woodson was frustrated by the lack of opportunities for African American historians and the near absence of Black history in colleges and universities. Rather than accept the status quo, he took action. In 1915, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The organization was created to research, preserve, and promote Black history as a serious academic field.

In 1926, Woodson introduced what he called Negro History Week, choosing February to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The idea gained momentum over the decades, expanding in scope and recognition. By 1976, the observance officially became Black History Month, embraced by schools, communities, and institutions across the nation.

While the celebration has grown and evolved over the past century, its purpose remains the same. Black History Month exists to highlight a history that was long ignored or overlooked and to affirm that African American history is inseparable from the broader American story.

One hundred years after Woodson’s original idea, Black History Month stands as both a tribute to the past and a reminder that preserving and studying history is an effort worth fighting for.