Negro History Week

proper noun

The second week of February, declared for observance of the history of the African diaspora in the United States. Celebrated until the foundation of Black History Month in the 1970s.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. UShistoricalobsoleteThe second week of February, declared for observance of the history of the African diaspora in the United States. Celebrated until the foundation of Black History Month in the 1970s.

Origin

First declared in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This week was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and of Frederick Douglass on February 14, both of which dates black communities had celebrated together since the late 19th century.

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Cite this entry
APA

Negro History Week. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Negro%20History%20Week

MLA

“Negro History Week.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Negro%20History%20Week. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Negro History Week,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Negro%20History%20Week.

Source: Negro History Week on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.