February Black History Month
A Brief Overview of Black History Month
Black History Month officially began in 1976, when President Gerald R. Ford asked Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." Every year since then, every American president has dedicated February as African American History Month.
The first celebration of African American contributions to the United States was established by the historian Carter G. Woodson. The event was held in February 1926 and was called Negro History Week. The week in February included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809) and Frederick Douglass (born in February 1818). Over the years, more Americans, black and white, joined the celebrations each February. In the 1960s, the civil rights movement further emphasized the impact of African Americans in American culture and throughout United States history.
by Nancy Churnin
Before Tiger Woods, there was Charlie Sifford. Sifford endured racism in the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) throughout his career. However, he persevered and eventually became the first black golfer to win a PGA tournament and achieve ranking among white golfers
by Julia Finley Mosca
Dr. Bath became a doctor at a time when it was difficult for women and blacks to enter the medical field. Although faced with racism, she did not let that—or anything else—stop her. She went on to become a staunch advocate for eye health and also pioneer techniques in ophthalmology.
Effa Manley was the first woman to own a baseball team, the Newark Eagles, and the first woman to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Manley was a staunch advocate for black players and succeeded despite the racism and sexism she faced.
I Am Ruby Bridges
An innovation by accident or spite, George Crum, an African American chef, is credited with inventing one of the oldest snacks in food history: the potato chip.
Kindergarten- Second Grade
The ABCs of Black History Month
Black History Month - Black Scientists and Inventors Part 1 (Animated)
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Animation
The breathtaking courage of Harriet Tubman - Janell Hobson
Third Grade- 6th Grade
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a case brought to the Supreme Court in 1954 after Linda Brown, an African American student in Kansas, was denied access to the white-only schools nearby her house. Future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall was the lawyer for the case, and argued that segregated schools were inherently unequal. Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Linda Brown and declared segregation unconstitutional. This is one of the landmark cases that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
Civil Rights and the 1950s
Take a trip back to America in the 1950s and the early days of the civil rights movement.
Maya Angelou — Civil Rights Activist & Author
