This former coal mine worker born to former slaves got a degree from harvard university and started what is called today "black history month."

Carter G. Woodson was one of the most influential black Americans that have ever lived. He was a historian, an author, a journalist and much, much more. Born in 1875, he was the son of two former Virginia slaves that had helped the Union during the civil war. Since he came from a large, impoverished family, he was an autodidact until the age of 17 when he went to high school .