Black History Month got its start as a weeklong celebration in 1926. In 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson participated in a national celebration of emancipation's 50th anniversary. Inspired by his experiences from the trip, he created an organization to promote the study of Black life and history. Later, he helped create what is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the Black History Month sponsors.

In 1926, Dr. Woodson began the celebration to take place during the second week of February timed with Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass's birthdays, two people considered to impact Black history significantly. Today, the weeklong celebration is a month long and is recognized by a presidential proclamation yearly.