What began as “Negro History Week,” created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, an historian to promote the study of African American history, has grown into a month-long recognition of the important ways African Americans have contributed to this country. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially designated February as Black History Month, marking the entire month as a time to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans. February was chosen because the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass occur during that time frame.