Black History Month begins Feb. 1. Started in 1926 by African-American historian and author Carter G. Woodson, the celebration began as Negro History Week to honor the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and social reformer Frederick Douglass.
In 1976, during the United States Bicentennial, President Gerald Ford extended the observation a month.
“The intent was just to highlight achievements of African-Americans, of course highlighting the word ‘American’ because it established a culture that we have here,” said Assia Johnson, public relations and social media coordinator for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
- RELATED: A quilt, a film, a play & a tour: 4 reasons to visit the Freedom Center during Black History Month
With the Underground Railroad running through the heart of the Tri-State, there is plenty of local history tied to slavery and emancipation.
You can learn more about the following chapters of local history in “Cincinnati’s Underground Railroad,” by Richard Cooper, which comes out March 10. Cooper is interpretive services manager for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
1. You may have seen his statue along the Ohio River in Covington. James Bradley was the first African-American student to attend Oberlin College. Bought by a slave holder who lived in Pendleton County, Ky. at age three, Bradley eventually purchased his freedom and went on to attend Lane Seminary.
Source: WCPO News
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