February is African American History Month (Black History Month)

Prior to 1925, little information could be found in the U.S. about African American history.  A widely held belief existed that African Americans had little contribution to U.S. society.  In 1926, Carter G. Woodson spearheaded the first Negro History Week to raise awareness.  Fifty years later, the week was expanded to a month.  February was selected because of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two individuals who dramatically affected the lives of African Americans.