“Lincoln and Douglass Honored at Exercises”

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The Boston Daily Globe article “Lincoln and Douglass Honored at Exercises: Negro Groups Here Join in Tribute Marking Double Anniversary” describes a commemorative event at the African Meeting House in honor of President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass’ birthdays. Abraham Lincoln’s birthday was February 12th and Frederick Douglass’ birthday was February 14th. When establishing “Negro History Week” in the 1920s, Carter G. Woodson chose the week of these two men’s birthdays due to their roles in influencing Black history.¹  “Negro History Week” led to the establishment of February as Black History Month decades later.

Questions to Consider

1. Why do you think it was important for the Black community of Boston to recognize these two men?
2. How do you commemorate Black History Month today?

1. Daryl Michael Scott, “Feb. 7, 1926: Carter G. Woodson Launched Negro History Week,” Zinn Education Project, accessed June 2020, https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/carter-woodson-black-history-month/.