Why Is Black History Month in February?

Why did Woodson choose February?

Woodson built on traditions that already existed. Black communities were already marking Abraham Lincoln's birthday on February 12 and Frederick Douglass's on February 14. Placing Negro History Week alongside those dates tied the new observance to celebrations people already knew (ASALH).

Woodson did not want the week to stay focused on two men. His goal was to widen the celebration to the achievements of Black people as a whole (ASALH).

Why February 14 for Frederick Douglass?

Douglass never knew his exact birth date. He was born enslaved in Tuckahoe, Talbot County, Maryland, in 1818 (Library of Congress). In his 1845 autobiography he wrote, "I have no accurate knowledge of my age" (Douglass, Narrative).

February 14 became the date on which his birthday was celebrated. The National Park Service has marked it with events at Cedar Hill, his home in Washington, D.C. (National Park Service).

Is it in February because it's the shortest month?

No. This is a common belief, but the timing has nothing to do with the month's length. Woodson chose the week for the Lincoln and Douglass birthdays in 1926. When the observance expanded in 1976, it simply grew to fill the month that already held it (Library of Congress).