"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE": CARTER G. WOODSON, "THE FATHER of BLACK HISTORY MONTH"

Since it happens to be "BLACK HISTORY MONTH," I thought it would be fitting to inform everyone about the Black man who is widely known as "THE FATHER of BLACK HISTORY MONTH" that arose from the celebration of "BLACK HISTORY WEEK" in America. Of course, I Am speaking of the Negro Historian, the fabulous founder of The Association For The Study of Negro Life and History, and the 2nd Negro to receive a doctorate degree from Harvard University, Mr. Carter G. Woodson! Although Black History Month is celebrated in America every year during the month of February, many Black People in Louisiana aren't aware that the main reason Carter decided to hold the first celebration of Black History Week in February was in connection with Frederick Douglass's birthday on February 14 and President Abraham Lincoln's birthday on February 12, because the achievements of both of these men were already being celebrated in America. Additionally, it was reported that in 1924, two years before he started Negro History Week, he reached out to his college fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, which helped him establish Negro History and Literature Week. During this time, National Negro Health Week was growing. Therefore, in 1926, Carter decided that the timing was right to kickoff a campaign for Negro History Week. So on February 7, 1926, he sent out a press release announcing the first official celebration of Negro History Week! Well, Carter G. Woodson was born in 1875, in New Canton, Virginia. Due mainly to having to help out on his family's farm, Carter was late entering High school. Never-the-less, he was able to complete his requirements for graduating in just 2 years! Later, he attended Berea College in Kentucky, and received his bachelor's degree in 1903. After graduating he accepted a position as Education Superintendent for the U.S. Government, in the Philippines. Between 1906 and 1912, not only did Carter earn his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Chicago," but he also earned his PhD from Harvard University as well!" In 1915, he traveled to Chicago to attend The National Exposition of Negro Progress, an event held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Emancipation. This event inspired Carter to found The Association For The Study of Negro Life and History. It wasn't long before schools and other Negro organizations across the country began celebrating Negro History Week. As early as 1940, and after his death from a heart attack in 1950, many Black People felt that the week celebration should be extended to a month. Finally, in 1976," on the 50th Anniversary of the first Negro History Week," the transition to Black History Month officially went into effect. In closing, I would like to list a few of the books that he wrote during his lifetime : 1. The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861, 2.A Century of Negro Migration, 3. The Negro in Our History, 4. The Negro Professional Man and The Community, and 5. "The Miseducation of The Negro," which is now A Negro Classic!