After founding the Journal, Woodson decided to go further and start “Negro History Week” in 1926. He timed this for the second week in February, to coincide with the birthdays of both Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, this grew into the Black History Month we now recognize every year.

KTVU's Heather Holmes and Cristina Rendon sit down with Dr. Keedra McNeill, pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente, to discuss the importance of Black History celebrations for children.

The origin of Black History Month in America goes back more than 100 years. Some may wonder why February, the shortest month of the year, was chosen to be the month to celebrate Black history. Here is the origin of Black History Month and how it is celebrated each year.