Black History Month was originally established by Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as a week-long celebration (held in February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln) that would pay tribute to the often unrecognized contributions of African Americans throughout history.
Today, celebrating this month is still a way for us to remember important African Americans, recognize the progress and gaps of Civil Rights, and to do a little more research into potential heroes who have been overlooked because of their skin color and prejudice of their times.
Where to start? Check out our display of books on African Americans, or view historical papers, photos, and art from the digital collections of the African American History Month site, featuring collections from the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, and more.
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