In 1915, Carter G. Woodson traveled to Chicago to participate in a national commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of emancipation. Though he resided in Washington, D.C., he had previously studied in Chicago, earning degrees from the University of Chicago. The event drew throngs of African Americans to the city’s Coliseum, a major convention venue showcasing numerous exhibits highlighting the progress African Americans had made since the abolition of slavery. These displays celebrated Black achievements across various aspects of life, inspiring visitors with a powerful reflection on the community’s contributions to the nation.
Woodson himself was deeply moved by the experience, shaping the course of his life’s work. Having earned a Ph.D. in history from Harvard in 1912—becoming only the second African American to do so after W.E.B. Du Bois—he was determined to broaden public awareness of African American history and counter prevailing racial stereotypes. In 1915, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History to advance these efforts. A year later, he launched The Journal of Negro History, providing a scholarly platform for research and documentation of Black history.
Seeking to further amplify the recognition of African American achievements, Woodson later established Negro History Week, which has since evolved into Black History Month. Today, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)—the nation’s oldest African American scholarly organization—continues his legacy. Each year, ASALH selects a theme to guide the celebration and exploration of Black history. This year’s theme is “African Americans and Labor.”