From Teachersincharge:

It is estimated that between 1890 and 1925, an African American was lynched every two and a half days. The academic and intellectual community was no different from the bulk of mainstream America. Peoples of African descent were visibly absent in any scholarship or intellectual discourse that dealt with human civilization. Black history events, African Americans were so dehumanized and their history so distorted in academia that slavery, peonage, segregation, and lynching were considered justifiable conditions. Under Woodson's direction and contributions from other African American and white scholars, the Negro History Week was launched on a serious platform in 1926 to neutralize the apparent ignorance and deliberate distortion of Black History. Theme of black history month 2016 is, Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories.

February was selected by a man named Carter Goodwin Woodson, who was a noted historian and publisher, and who was a pioneer in American Black history. He selected February for several reasons, in that this month has an enormous significance in Black American history. First it is in celebration of two historical figures who had a great impact on the Black population. They are Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Other noteworthy persons whereby the month of February is significant are: W.E.B. Dubois, who was born on February 23, 1868, and who was a Civil Rights leader and co-founder of the N.A.A.C.P. The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed on February 3, 1870 which gave Blacks the right to vote.The first Black senator, Hiriam R. Revels took office on February 25, 1870. The N.A.A.C.P. (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) was founded in New York City of February 12, 1909, and Malcolm X, the militant leader who promoted Black Nationalism was shot and killed by Black Muslims on February 21, 1965.

More here. (Note: At least one post will be dedicated to honor Black History Month throughout February)