African-American History

African-American History

Updated: January 15, 2009

February has been African-American history month since 1976, fifty years after historian Carter G. Woodson first conceived the idea to set aside a week -- which happened to be the same week that both Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass were born -- for honoring accomplishments of African-Americans in our country.

Test your knowledge of those accomplishments in African-American history with one of our quizzes on African-American icons, reorder the Twisted Timeline of major events during the Civil Rights Movement, explore important anniversaries that take place in February, or simply get to know the people, history and culture that has helped build the United States into what it is today.

Image: Twisted Timeline: Civil Rights
Twisted Timeline: Civil Rights

Try your hand at recreating the major events of the Civil Rights Movement.

 
Image: Gallery: International Civil Rights Center and Museum
Gallery: International Civil Rights Center and Museum

View photos and learn more about the new museum located in the Woolworth Building in North Carolina.

 
Image: Woolworth Sit-in Anniversary
Livewire
Woolworth Sit-in Anniversary

Monday marked 60 years since the non-violent protest against segregation.

 
Image: BHM
Interactive: Black History Month

Learn more about the important events and people we celebrate during February.

 
 
Image: Making History
Making History

Black History Month is a time to remember past struggles but also bring light to current accomplishments and issues in the African-American community.

 
Image: African-American Literature
African-American Literature

Meet some of the pioneering writers who changed the face of American literature.

 
Image: Citi Field Kids
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Citi Field Kids

The Mets celebrate Jackie Robinson and share his legacy with students.

 
Image: African-American Icons
African-American Icons

How much do you know about famous African-Americans?

 
Image: The First Lady's Family Tree
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The First Lady's Family Tree

A genealogist examines Michelle Obama's lineage in this special Black History Month segment.

 
Image: Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee
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Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee

Learn more about this organization, the SNCC.

 
Image: Video: See a Sunken Slave Ship
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Video: See a Sunken Slave Ship

Join the team as they recover centuries-old artifacts from the sunken slave ship "Henrietta Marie."

 
 


 

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