Historian, Carter G. Woodson had faith that fairness and truth would prevail over prejudice. With the help of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), he established Negro History Week in 1925 to highlight the achievements of African-Americans throughout history.

Upon Woodson’s passing in 1950, Negro History Week had grown in significance and was widely celebrated across the United States. In the middle of the twentieth century, mayors around the country proclaimed the week of February 16th to be Negro History Week.

President Gerald R. Ford urged the U.S. to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

The association celebrated its inaugural Black History Month fifty years later.  From then on, every president has recognized February as Black History Month. This group, currently known as ASALH, works to spread awareness of Black history all year round. See the link below for additional information about Black History Month, and check in weekly for a look at the celebrated black people in STEM!