Day 13 - The History of Black History Month

Black History month originally started as Negro History Week and was created by historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. It was scheduled for the second week of February to coincide with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

The expansion to a month was proposed by the leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University in February 1969. The first celebration happened at Kent State one year later, in February 1970.

In 1976 the informal expansion of Negro History Week to Black History Month was officially recognized. President Gerald Ford said it was time to, "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

It is celebrated not only in the United States, but also in Canada and the United Kingdom. 

And THAT Is Junior's Black History Month Fact Of The Day!

 

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