How Black History Month Came To Be !!

Story by Queonah Monts. Photo by Christian Henson.

February 1, 2017. Black History Month began as Negro History Week which was created in 1926 by Carter G.Woodson. Carter G. Woodson was an African-American writer and historian known as the “Father Of Black History Month.” He also wrote an influential book, The Mis-Education of The Negro. Carter G.Woodson was born on December 19, 1875, and died on April 3, 1950. He attended many schools such as Harvard University, University Of Chicago and Berea College.

Negro History Week became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass which are February 14, 1818, and February 12, 1809. Abraham Lincoln also officially ended slavery on December 6, 1865. Some African American leaders are Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr, Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks. These people changed the world.They led us colored people to equal rights and freedom all over the world.

Queonah Monts is a fifth grade scholar at Friendship Blow Pierce Academy.