Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.

“In 1915, in response to the lack of information on the accomplishments of Black people available to the public, historian Carter G. Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, the group declared the second week of February as “Negro History Week” to recognize the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. Few people studied Black history and it wasn’t included in textbooks prior to the creation of Negro History Week.” – National Geographic Kids

In 1976 , U.S. president Gerald Ford extended the week to a month long recognition. Black History Month has been celebrated in the United States every February since.

Check out these amazing books written to educate and highlight the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans to U.S. History.