On January 5, 1943, George Washington Carver Day was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt following Carver’s death. This day honors the life and legacy of George Washington Carver, a renowned African American agricultural scientist, educator, and inventor best known for his work with peanuts and crop rotation techniques that revolutionized agriculture in the American South.

Carver was born into slavery in the early 1860s and overcame immense obstacles to become one of the most respected scientists and educators of his time. His research helped improve the lives of countless farmers, and he advocated for sustainable farming and education as a means to uplift Black communities.

The establishment of George Washington Carver Day made him one of the first African Americans to be honored with a national day of recognition in the United States.