It has become a tradition. Black History Month. The time when schools, museums, universities, and performing arts centers across the country mark the history and accomplishments through the decades of the African-American community.

But many may not know how this event, so expected each year, got its start.

The month began as the inspiration of one man, Carter G. Woodson, the son of slaves who knew education was vital, yet was unable to start his until he was in his 20s.

This setback did nothing to hold back the man who would one day hold such a prominent position in black America.

Woodson persevered until he earned not simply a high school diploma, but a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a doctorate from Harvard University. There he was the second to break the color barrier at that Ivy League school. The first was W.E. B. DuBois, the civil rights activist, educator and sociologist.

As Woodson began his career as an educator, he discovered how little was known of the history of Black America, by both blacks and whites alike.

To meet that challenge he founded in 1915 the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, that today is called the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History.

But simply cataloguing accomplishments of others was not Woodson’s goal. He believed that if white society knew the contributions of Africa and its people to the advancement of global civilization, it would strike a blow against race prejudice.

Now almost 100 years since its inception, does Black History Month, even the study of black history in schools, still have a place in our society?

Dr. Douglas Carter, pastor of First Baptist Church of Burlington, says yes.

“It gives the African-Americans some understanding of their own selves because they were robbed of their self esteem,” Carter said, noting that at one time an African American was defined as only a percentage of a white man.

“That was the legal definition. That was why they weren’t allowed to vote,” Carter said. “They weren’t human. (Black history) has given the elder African-American his understanding of his worth.”

But what about the next generations? Carter sees a definite need for such celebrations as Black History Month for those coming after him.

“The younger African-Americans didn’t come up under the stresses of myself and others. I think we need to have it for the younger generation. They don’t understand segregation, and not being able to go to schools or universities or become a professional athlete.”

Carter noted that he has a 16-year-old daughter who didn’t understand why there was so much comment about the recent election of the country’s first African American president.

“All of the hype. She was wondering why,” he said. “This is a historical event … (some said) that a black man would never become president of this country.”

Cicero Fain III is a professor of history at Marshall University and recently was the keynote speaker at this year’s Martin Luther King Day celebration at Ohio University Southern campus.

Fain is a member of the younger generation of African-Americans and agrees with Carter that there is still a need for such events as Black History Month.

“Yes, we still need it,” Fain said. “Because there are a substantial number of people who aren’t fully engaged in moving the races closer and punching through the veil of ignorance that separates people from people.”

The professor cites the results of the recent presidential election in the state of West Virginia where Sen. John McCain received almost 56 percent of the vote.

“Race certainly played a factor,” Fain said.

But he also sees Black History Month as a way to honor those who came before in the fight for civil rights.

“That legacy and all the contributions they have done,” Fain said. “All the sacrifice should not be forgotten. It is difficult to move forward without knowing your past.”