Since 1976 February has been recognized in America as "Black History Month" to celebrate the contributions of African Americans in our society and the world. It may surprise you that although "blacks" have been been in America as far back as colonial times, it was much later in the 20th century that their history and contribution to society has been given its due place in the American psyche and history books.
 

Carter G. Woodson
 
The person most noted for this change in attitude and celebration is Dr. Carter G. Woodson whose parents were former slaves in the South. He spent most of his young life working in the coal mines of Kentucky until he enrolled in high school at age twenty. He later earned a Ph.D. from Harvard. Ever a scholar, Dr. Woodson went on to change the consciousness of people regarding the true and positive place of "black Americans" in history books. He founded the Journal of Negro History, established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History which later became the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History.
 
In 1926, Dr. Woodson started Negro History Week during the month of February to bring national attention to the contributions of African Americans throughout American history. He chose the month of February to honor the birthdays of two notable Americans who have contributed to the advancement of African Americans in the United States, namely Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.  
 
Other significant events in February: February 12, 1909: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in New York City by a group of concerned citizens. February 21, 1965: Assassination of Malcolm X. February 23, 1868: birthday of W. E. B. DuBois, the civil rights leader who co-founded the NAACP