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Carter G. Woodson Facts & Worksheets

Carter G. Woodson was an African-American writer and historian who initiated Negro History Week in 1926. The celebration commemorating the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and emancipator Abraham Lincoln became known as Black History Month. Woodson was considered the father of Black History or Negro History.

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Early Life

  • Carter Godwin Woodson was born on December 19, 1875, in New Canton, Virginia. He was the fourth child of Anna Eliza Riddle and James Woodson, both freed slaves. Young Carter worked as a sharecropper and driver of a garbage truck to help his family. He attended high school in Berea College, Kentucky, and completed his four-year course in less than two years.
  • In 1903, he earned his B.L degree at the same college.
  • Upon graduation, Woodson taught African-American children in West Virginia.
  • From late 1903 until early 1907, Woodson worked under the U.S. War Department and was sent to the Philippines as an education superintendent.
  • Woodson travelled parts of Asia, Europe and Africa. By 1908, he received his Masters degree in History, Literature, and Romance Languages from the University of Chicago.
  • In 1912, he became the second African-American Ph.D. graduate of Harvard University, after W.E.B Du Bois.

Woodson’s Dedication to African-American History

  • In 1915, Woodson published his first book entitled The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861. His book tackled the history of black people in the United States from the era of slavery until the outbreak of the Civil War.
  • That same year, he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).
  • In 1916, Woodson established the publication The Journal of Negro History, now known as The Journal of African-American History (JAAH). After two years, he published the A Century of Negro Migration.
  • Alongside publishing, Woodson served as the principal of Armstrong Manual Training School in Washington D.C. In addition, he became the dean of Howard University’s School of Liberal Arts and West Virginia Collegiate Institute, in 1919 and 1920 respectively.
  • The History of Negro Church was published in 1921. He also established the Associated Publishers Press the same year.
  • Woodson became an active member of African-American organizations such as NAACP, National Urban League, Friends of the Negro Freedom, and the Committee of 200.
  • In 1922, Woodson published The Negro in Our History. He also penned literary books for elementary and high school students.
  • In February 1926, Woodson encouraged schools and organizations to promote the study of African-American history that marked Negro History Week. It was celebrated during the second week of February in commemoration of famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass (20 February) and emancipator U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (12 February).
  • Furthermore, Woodson created The Negro History Bulletin in 1937 and conducted several talks urging the African-American community to continue with events for Negro
    History Week.
  • In 1933, he published his popular book Mis-education of the Negro which focused on African-American self-empowerment amidst western indoctrination.

Legacy and Death

  • On April 30, 1950, Carter G. Woodson died of a heart attack. Throughout his life, he wrote, co-authored, and edited numerous books.
  • Woodson wanted to ensure the intellectual survival of African-American history through publications.
  • In February, 1970, the first Black History Month was celebrated at Kent State.
  • By 1976, U.S. President Gerald Ford urged Americans to nationally celebrate the contributions of African-Americans to U.S. history.
  • In 1987, Black History Month was first celebrated in London, and in Canada in 1995.
  • In honor of him, the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African-American Museum was built in St. Petersburg, Florida. In addition, the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies was established at the University of Virginia.

Carter G. Woodson Worksheets

This bundle includes 11 ready-to-use Carter G. Woodson worksheets that are perfect for students to learn about Carter G. Woodson who was an African-American writer and historian who initiated Negro History Week in 1926.

This download includes the following worksheets:

  • Carter G. Woodson Facts
  • Father of Black History
  • Abolitionist and Emancipator Profile
  • Woodson’s Journey
  • Key to African-American History
  • History of Black Americans
  • Carter Says
  • Woodson’s Ws
  • Game Changers in Black History
  • Black is the Color of Freedom
  • Black History Month

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