From staff reports

February is being celebrating across the nation as Black History Month.

First recognized by Americans in 1926, Black History Month was the work of Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves.

Woodson spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal mines and enrolled in high school at age 20. He graduated two years later

Woodson went on to earn his Ph.D. from Harvard University, where he was disturbed that his textbooks mostly ignored the large black American population.
When blacks were represented, it was generally in the same inferior ways they were reflected at that time.

In 1915, Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. A year later, he also established the Journal of Negro History.

Negro History Week was launched in 1926 as an initiative to being national attention to the historic contributions of blacks throughout American history.

February was chosen for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, men who have greatly influenced life for African Americans.

Today, Black History Month is celebrated with a myriad of events throughout the country.