SC Law Designates February for Black History Study

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – A new South Carolina law officially declares February as African-American History Month, 36 years after former President Gerald Ford recognized the first month-long tribute to black history. Democratic Sen. Darrell Jackson of Columbia said Friday he was surprised to learn the designation wasn’t in state law and wanted to correct that. His measure moved quietly through the Legislature, getting unanimous votes in the House and Senate. Gov. Nikki Haley signed it into law Tuesday. Historian Carter Woodson founded “Negro History Week” in 1926 to celebrate African-Americans’ contributions to the country. He chose the week that Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were born. His organization expanded the celebration to a month in 1976, and Ford issued a message of observance. Congress passed a law in 1986 designating National Black History Month.