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Black History Month Links
February was officially declared Black History Month in 1976, but this holiday’s origin dates back to 1926. Carter Woodson, an educator and historian, had the idea to celebrate the accomplishments and importance of African Americans in the U.S. The second week of February was set – close to the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln – to celebrate these accomplishments.
The following links are provided for you to help you discover more about our country’s African American heritage during February and all year long!
About Black History:
 Gateway to African American History
The State Department’s overview of this year’s theme.
Beyond Black History Month: The African American Studies Toolkit for Grades 6-12
Links to studying all aspects of African American history, including speeches, calendars, museums, FAQs, recordings, and more.
History Channel- Celebrate Black History Month
Brief biographies on many prominent African- American figures in history.
Underground Railroad @ National Geographic
An interactive journey along the Underground Railroad.
Black History and Literacy:
Kids@Random: Black History Month
Random House presents featured reading ideas for Black History Month.
The African American Read-In Chain
A nationwide read-in of literature by black authors. Takes place Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, and Monday, Feb. 2 for schools.
African American Women Writers of the 19th Century
(Digital Schomberg - New York Public Library) Browse through works online. Brief biographies on authors included.
Selected Poems by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Hear audio samples of the compelling literary music created by this legendary poet.
Timelines:
Timeline of African American History
(Library of Congress)
Key events in African-American history from 1852 to 1925.
Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement
Key events in the Civil Rights Movement from CNN.
Biographies and Famous People:
Carter Godwin Woodson (1875-1950): Founder of Black History Month
(Chicago Public Library)
Biography, information and a timeline about Woodson, who founded Negro History Week, which in 1976 became Black History Month.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Papers Project
(Stanford University)
Information and primary and secondary resources about Dr. King.
Academy of Achievement: Rosa Parks
An introduction to the woman whose actions sparked the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement.
Harriet Tubman
A second-grade class shares their resources of this leader of the Underground Railroad.
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