<P> Negro History Week was met with enthusiastic response; it prompted the creation of black history clubs, an increase in interest among teachers, and interest from progressive whites . Negro History Week grew in popularity throughout the following decades, with mayors across the United States endorsing it as a holiday . </P> <P> On 21 February 2016, 106 - year Washington D.C. resident and school volunteer Virginia McLaurin visited the White House as part of Black History Month . When asked by the president why she was there, McLaurin said, "A black president . A black wife . And I'm here to celebrate black history . That's what I'm here for ." </P> <P> Black History Month was first proposed by Black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University in February 1969 . The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State one year later, in February 1970 . </P> <P> Six years later Black History Month was being celebrated all across the country in educational institutions, centers of Black culture and community centers, both great and small, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial . He urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too - often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history ." </P>

When did black history week become black history month