Carter G. Woodson was born in Virginia. He was the son of former slaves, that were extremely poor. Woodson was often unable to attend primary school regularly, at 17 he was forced to work in the coal mines delaying his education. As a result, at the age of 20 he was finally able to enter Douglass High School full-time and receive his diploma. In furthering his education he earned his Bachelors Degree and Masters from the University of Chicago, then went on to earn his Ph. D and was the second African-American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University. He was a historian, author, journalist, and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. A founder of The Journal of Negro History in 1916, Woodson has been called the "father of black history". Carter also pioneered the field of African American studies. On Feb. 7, 1926, Carter G. Woodson, initiated the first celebration of Negro History Week which led to Black History Month, to extend and deepen the study and scholarship on African American history. Let’s never forget those who have paved the way for us.