Historian Carter G. Woodson, the 'Father of Black History,' is born in New Canton, Virginia, to formerly enslaved parents.
At a Glance
- Date
- 19 December 1875
- Location
- New Canton, Virginia
- Key people
- Carter G. Woodson
- Category
- Education & HBCUs
- Source
- ASALH records; biographical accounts · ASALH
What It Meant Then
He founded the study of African American history as a scholarly field and launched Negro History Week.
What It Means Now
Woodson's work grew into Black History Month, observed each February.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Carter G. Woodson Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/carter-g-woodson-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Carter G. Woodson Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/carter-g-woodson-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Carter G. Woodson Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/carter-g-woodson-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.