Black History Month
The origins of Black History Month date back to 1926 when Harvard scholar and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, launched Negro History Week to bring national attention to the contributions of African Americans throughout United States history. Woodson selected the second week in February because it coincided with the birthdays of two individuals that greatly influenced the African American populace, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
In 1976, the celebration was expanded to "National Afro-American History Month," in honor of the nation's bicentennial and was eventually renamed Black History Month.
In honor of the accomplishments of African Americans and Women, the Temple University Urban Archives has assembled this exhibit entitled "Celebrating Black History and Women's History Months." The exhibit will showcase Urban Archives materials from various collections, including the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Collection. In addition, the Urban Archives in conjunction with the Temple University Libraries will be sponsoring Black History and Women't Shistory Months lectures and book discussions throughout February and March.