CBS 5 Salutes Black History Month

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) -- In February, America celebrates Black History Month.

It dates back to 1926 and Harvard scholar Carter G. Woodson.

The son of former slaves,Woodson dedicated his life to ensuring that black history was accurately documented and disseminated.

Woodson made it his mission to bring Black History into the mainstream public arena.

Woodson worked tirelessly with the aim that "the world see the Negro as a participant rather than as a lay figure in history."

In an effort to bring national attention to the contributions of African-Americans, Woodson organized the first annual Negro History Week in 1926.

He chose the second week of February in honor of the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two men whose lives he believed had enormously impacted the black population.

Over time, Negro History Week evolved into the Black History Month that we know today -- a 4-week-long celebration of African-American History.

Join CBS 5 as we reflect and celebrate the significant roles that African Americans have played in the shaping of U.S. history.

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