Black History Month was created in 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson announced the second week of February to be "Black History Week". This week was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and of Frederick Douglass on February 14, both of which dates, black communities had celebrated together since the late 19th century. It became Black History Month in February 1976. The primary emphasis was placed on encouraging the teaching of the history of African Americans in the nation's public schools.
At a time when many schools barred their doors to African Americans, HBCUs or Historically Black Colleges and Universities offered the best and of the only opportunity for a higher education. HBCUs educated African Americans almost exclusively from 1865 to the 1950s, prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1965. Prairie View A&M University, Texas Southern University, Grambling State and Morehouse are some examples of HBCUs.
