The Origins of Black <br />History Month <br />in the US In 1915, Harvard-trained <br />historian Carter G. Woodson <br />co-founded the Association for the <br />Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). ASHNLH committed itself <br />to the research and promotion <br />of black American achievement. Carter Woodson, 'Negro History Week' In 1926, Woodson declared <br />the second week of February, <br />"Negro History Week." The idea was a hit <br />among teachers and <br />its popularity grew. In 1969, black educators and <br />students at Kent State University <br />were the first to propose a <br />"Black History Month." The following year, <br />the university became <br />the first to celebrate February <br />as Black History Month. The annual celebration <br />was first recognized by <br />a U.S. President in 1976. President Gerald Ford called <br />upon citizens to “seize the opportunity <br />to honor the too-often neglected <br />accomplishments of black Americans ..." Since then, February has been <br />has been designated by every <br />president as Black History Month.
