Earth Science & Black History

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The man behind the holiday

Born in 1875, the son of former slaves, Woodson spent his childhood working in coal mines and quarries. He received his education during the four-month term that was customary for black schools at the time.

At 19, having taught himself English fundamentals and arithmetic, Woodson entered high school, where he completed a four-year curriculum in two years. He went on to earn his master's degree in history from the University of Chicago and later earned a doctorate from Harvard.

Example of a Coal Mine

Poll

Do you believe that it was hard for Dr. Woodson to earn his college degrees?

• YES

• NO

Open Ended

Based on the passage, how is Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History, relevant to Earth Science (what did he do in his life that relates to Earth Science)?

How the holiday came about

Disturbed that history textbooks largely ignored America's black population, Woodson took on the challenge of writing black Americans into the nation's history. 

To do this, he established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. He also founded the group's widely respected publication, the Journal of Negro History. 

In 1926, Woodson developed Negro History Week. He believed "the achievements of the Negro properly set forth will crown him as a factor in early human progress and a maker of modern civilization."

In 1976, Negro History Week expanded into Black History Month.

Multiple Choice

In what year did Black History Week expand to become Black History Month?

• 1926

• 1923

• 1976

• 1875

Why he picked February

Woodson chose the second week of February for his celebration because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population: 

Frederick Douglass, who escaped slavery and became an abolitionist and civil rights leader; though his birthdate isn't known, he celebrated it on February 14. President Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery in America's confederate states; he was born on February 12.

Open Ended

What two factors led Dr. Carter G. Woodson to choose February as Black History Month?

Open Ended

If you were able to change anything about Black History Month, what would it be? Explain your response in detail