February is Black History Month, a month-long celebration honoring the many extraordinary contributions and accomplishments of African Americans to U.S. history, and Housatonic Community College (HCC) has numerous events planned as a tribute.
Originally created as a week-long celebration known as “Negro History Week,” and created by noted African American Historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926, the celebration was eventually extended to the entire month of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month to honor the overlooked achievements of Black Americans throughout U.S. history.