Carter G. Woodson Timeline

Known as the “Father of Black History,” Woodson (1875-1950) was the son of former slaves and understood the importance of gaining a proper education when striving to secure and maximize one’s divine right of freedom.

1875
1875 – Early Life
Carter Godwin Woodson was born on December 19, 1875, in New Canton, Virginia, to formerly enslaved people Anna Eliza Riddle Woodson and James Woodson. The fourth of seven children, young Woodson worked as a sharecropper and a miner to help his family.

Carter Godwin Woodson was born on December 19, 1875, in New Canton, Virginia, to formerly enslaved people Anna Eliza Riddle Woodson and James Woodson. The fourth of seven children, young Woodson worked as a sharecropper and a miner to help his family.

1892
1892 – Early Life as a Coal Miner
In 1892, Woodson moved to West Virginia to work as a coal miner at seventeen.

Moves to West Virginia to work as a coal miner at seventeen.

1897
1897 – Early Life & Education
Though Woodson enters high school late, he makes up for lost time, graduating in less than two years. After attending Berea College in Kentucky, Woodson works as an education superintendent for the U.S. government in the Philippines.

Though he enters high school late, he makes up for lost time, graduating in less than two years. After attending Berea College in Kentucky, Woodson works as an education superintendent for the U.S. government in the Philippines.

1908
1908 – University of Chicago
In 1908, Woodson enrolled at the University of Chicago and received a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in European History in the spring of 1908.

Enrolls at the University of Chicago and receives a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in European History in the spring of 1908.

1912
1912 – Harvard University
In 1912, Woodson became the second African American (after W.E.B. Du Bois) to receive a PhD from Harvard University and the first child of enslaved parents to earn a doctorate in history.

Becomes the second African American (after W.E.B. Du Bois) to receive a PhD from Harvard University and the first child of enslaved parents to earn a doctorate in history.

1915
1915 – The Mis-Education of the Negro
In 1915, Woodson published The Mis-Education of the Negro, his first book.

Publishes The Mis-Education of the Negro, his first book.

Sept. 9, 1915
September 9, 1915
On Sept. 9, 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson founds the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Today, known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), it is the oldest organization dedicated to studying and promoting Black History.

Founds the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in Washington, DC, where he was teaching high school. Today, known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), it is the oldest organization dedicated to studying and promoting Black History.

1916
1916 – The Journal of Negro History
In 1916, Woodson published the first issue of The Journal of Negro History.

Publishes the first issue of The Journal of Negro History.

1918
1918 – Washington, D.C.
In 1918, Dr. Woodson moved to Washington, D.C., where he taught American history, English, French, and Spanish languages at the M Street School (now known as Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School) and then worked as a principal at the Armstrong Manual Training School.

Moves to Washington, D.C., where he taught American history, English, French, and Spanish languages at the M Street School (now known as Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School) and then worked as a principal at the Armstrong Manual Training School.

1920
1920 – Howard University
In 1920, Woodson became Dean at the School of Liberal Arts and Head of the Graduate Faculty at Howard University.

Becomes Dean at the School of Liberal Arts and Head of the Graduate Faculty at Howard University.

1922
1922 – The Woodson House
In 1922, Dr. Woodson bought a home at 1538 Ninth Street NW in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s home was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

Buys a home at 1538 Ninth Street NW in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s home was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 for its national significance in African American cultural heritage. The National Park Service is renovating it with plans to open to the public in 2025.

1926
1926 – Negro History Week
In 1926 Carter G. Woodson founds Negro History Week to be observed in February in honor of the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

Founds Negro History Week, to be observed in February, in honor of the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

1930s
1930s
The Woodson Home served as the headquarters for ASNLH (ASALH). It was also where he ran Associated Publishers, a publishing house focused on African American culture and history at a time when many other publishers wouldn’t accept works on the topic.

The home served as the headquarters for ASNLH (ASALH). It was also where he ran Associated Publishers, a publishing house focused on African American culture and history at a time when many other publishers wouldn’t accept works on the topic.

 

Committee in charge of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, 1935. Dr. Carter G. Woodson is sitting to the far left, Vivian G. Harsh is sitting in the center (white blouse).

1937
1937 – The Negro History Bulletin
1937 – The Negro History Bulletin

In 1937, at the urging of Mary McLeod Bethune, Woodson established the The Negro History Bulletin, which focused on the annual theme. The Negro History Bulletin was a monthly newsletter for high school teachers, with articles providing ideas for lessons on African American history. ASALH still publishes this educational resource as the Black History Bulletin.

1940s
1940s – A Time of Growth
Woodson continues to publish and is active in civil rights, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) anti-lynching efforts. During this time, ASNLH (ASALH) steadily grows, establishing branches in every major northern city and dozens of cities and small towns across the South. Such growth ensured that Black History Week did not die with Carter G. Woodson.

Woodson continues to publish and is active in civil rights, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) anti-lynching efforts. During this time, ASNLH (ASALH) steadily grows, establishing branches in every major northern city and dozens of cities and small towns across the South. Such growth ensured that Black History Week did not die with Carter G. Woodson.

Mary McLeod Bethune, Lucy Harth Smith, and Dr. Carter G. Woodson at ASALH’s Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois in 1940.

1950
1950 – Death
Dr. Carter G. Woodson dies in his living quarters at the Association’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 3, 1950, at the age of 74.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson dies in his living quarters at the Association’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on April 3, 1950, at the age of 74.

Our History
Our Presidents
Our Executive Directors
About ASALH
About Black History Month
The Origins of Black History Month
Our Executive Directors
Editors of the Journal of Negro History
Carter G. Woodson: The Early Years, 1875 – 1903