1. Black History Month

2. “ Father of Black History ” • Carter Godwin Woodson was born on December 19, 1875 at New Canton, Virginia • He was an American historian who first opened the long-neglected field of black studies to scholars and also popularized the field in the schools and colleges of African Americans • Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and head of the graduate faculty at Howard University, Washington, D.C. (1919-20)

3. Origins of Black History Month • In 1915, historian Carter G. Woodson proposed a "Negro History Week" to honor the history and contributions of African-Americans • Nine years later, his dream became reality

4. Woodson chose the second week of February to pay tribute to the birthdays of two Americans that dramatically affected the lives of African Americans : • Abraham Lincoln (February 12) • Frederick Douglass (February 14)

5. February is Black History Month • The week-long observance officially became Black History Month in 1976.