Black History Month was begun by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Woodson, the son of former slaves, formed what is now The Association for the study of African American Life and History (ASALH) and initiated Black History Week in February of 1926. He chose February because the month contains the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. 1976 Black History Week was expanded to Black History month. Every American President since the 1970's has issued proclaimations endorsing the Association's annual theme. From: ASALH's History of Black History
This year's theme is "Civil Rights in America" From: ASALH's Executive Summary of the 2014 Black History Month theme
Black History Celebrations at CMU: click here.
Book display: click here.