February 1, 2008
You may Listen or download this story in .mp3 format. or as a .wav file
Profile America for the first day of Black History Month. Carter G. Woodson is the father of this special month. He is considered the first to evaluate African-American history in a scholarly fashion. In 1915, he founded what is now known as the Association for the Study of African- American Life and History, and in 1926, introduced Black History Week. Originally observed around the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, it was later expanded to its current full month. Woodson had little formal schooling, yet saw to his own education, eventually earning a doctorate from Harvard. Today, 81 percent of African-Americans over the age of 25 have at least a high school diploma. Eighteen percent have at least a bachelors degree. This special edition of Profile America for Black History Month is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.