First Professional Black Baseball Player: On April 5, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. For example, when Donald Trump was named the 45th president, he was really only the 44th president because Grover Cleveland is counted twice. In Canada, they celebrate in the month of February as well, while in countries like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland, they celebrate in October. In North America, it takes place in February, while in the UK, Ireland and Holland, it takes place in October. Black History Month: 12 little-known black history facts 1/30/2017. This web site features unique stories and facts about Black history, culture and accomplishments. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, and Douglass, whose true date of birth is unknown, celebrated his birthday on February 14. Parks wasn't the first. You'll get the latest updates on this topic in your browser notifications. Iowa is filled with a rich history of the struggles blacks faced and the resulting triumphs. He held onto the belt until 1915. Get push notifications with news, features and more. … Eminent Scientist: George Washington Carver developed 300 derivative products from peanuts among them cheese, milk, coffee, flour, ink, dyes, plastics, wood stains, soap, linoleum, medicinal oils and cosmetics. Black History Month is an entire month devoted to putting a spotlight on African Americans who have made contributions to our country. A growing number of black ...read more, Historically, black women in sports faced double discrimination due to their gender and race. First Lawyer: John Mercer Langston was the first black man to become a lawyer when he passed the bar in Ohio in 1854. It is also the sesquicentennial of the 15th Amendment, which gave African Americans the right to vote. And with ...read more. “The theme speaks, therefore, to the ongoing struggle on the part of both black men and black women for the right to vote,” the ASALH writes on their website. Feb. 1, 1926 - What is now known as Black History Month was first celebrated on this date as Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson. Oscar Winner: In 1940, Hattie McDaniel was the first African American performer to win an Academy Award—the film industry’s highest honor—for her portrayal of a loyal slave governess in Gone With the Wind. First Senator: Hiram Rhodes Revels was the first African American ever elected to the U.S. Senate. Black culture is consistently violated and duplicated by non-Blacks, but with Black History Month Black people are reminded of everything … Black History Month is an annual celebration which recognises important events, achievements, and work by black people. It was made a national holiday in 1976, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month, and it became the month-long celebration that we know today. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Help Us Create Black History - The Ability to Submit your own “Facts” (you will get credit for any approved submissions) Silver Member ($15/Year) General Membership features.. PLUS; Personalize “My BlackFacts” page – with all of your favorites and recommendations and related content based on your site visits (also manage your submissions) For many of us, Black History Month is something we’ve grown up with hearing about. He led the league in stolen bases that season and was named Rookie of the Year. Among prominent figures are Madam C.J. Great Moments In Black History. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-facts. He received this Born to parents who were former slaves, he spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal … A brief look at the history of African Americans and Black History Month. The month was first observed in the United Kingdom in 1987 and in Canada in 1995. Martin Luther King, Jr. - March On Washington. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month and each president since has designated February as Black History Month. Events celebrating African … 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. Rev. John Mercer Langston was also the great-uncle of Langston Hughes, famed poet of the Harlem Renaissance. In 1915, Harvard historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland founded what is today known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in order to bring awareness to the African American people who had made contributions to society, but had been forgotten or left out of the narrative. The date and the story of the enslaved Africans have become symbolic of slavery’s roots, ...read more, Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you would like to opt out of browser push notifications, please refer to the following instructions specific to your device and browser: Black History Month Explained: Who Started It, Why It's in February and More Facts You Should Know. It is also known as African-American History Month in the United States. February 12, 1909, was chosen because it was the centennial anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. With that being said, we've collected a list of 29 facts -- one for each day of Black History Month-- about black history that you may not already know. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian ...read more, Black codes were restrictive laws designed to limit the freedom of African Americans and ensure their availability as a cheap labor force after slavery was abolished during the Civil War. This information should be helpful for kids writing Black History Month papers and for adults interested in learning more about this famous man. Library Of Congress/Getty Images; Hulton/Archive/Getty Images, Credit: NAACP: On February 12, 2019, the NAACP marked its 110th anniversary. All Rights Reserved. He represented the state of Mississippi from February 1870 to March 1871. Walker, who was the … With crossword puzzles, coloring pages, and biographical texts, there are numerous ways for students to learn about every facet of black history. The importance of Fort Mose. Population Growth: The black population of the United States in 1870 was 4.8 million; in 2018, the number of black residents of the United States 43.8 million. Tags terms: Black History. Live updates: More than 85,700 … TWEET. I designed it as a simple way to show my children a brief overview of Black History in the United States. She was elected in 1968 and represented the state of New York. Here are 10 Black History Month facts that Iowans should … On February 2: Feb. 2, 1862 - District of Columbia abolishes slavery. SHARE. © 2020 A&E Television Networks, LLC. October marks Black History Month, the annual celebration of the history, achievements and contributions of black people in the UK. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Robert W. Kelley/Getty Images, Credit: A few decades later, in 1969, Black United Students from Kent State University suggested the expansion of a week honouring black history to a full month and named it the Black History Month. Feb. 2, 1914 - Ernest Just, genetic biologist, wins the Spingarn Medal. Martin Luther King Jr. Read on for more black history facts. The purpose of Black History Month is to remember both the important people of African descent and the important events in Black history. Check out the facts below: – In 1902 on this day in black history, one of the most famous poets, Langston Hughes was born in the year 1902. First Black President: In 2008, Barack Obama became the first black president of the United States. It wasn’t until the 1960s that colleges and universities began to expand the recognition of African American history to the full month of February. This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Black History Month honors the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. Black History Month, which is celebrated each year during February, is a chance for Americans to learn details of our nation’s history that, unfortunately, are far too often neglected and pushed to the wayside. 1. Text us for exclusive photos and videos, royal news, and way more. Interesting Facts He was born on January 15th of 1929 and was assassinated on April 4, 1968. William Lovelace/Getty Images. He was asking the public to extend their study of black history, not to create a new tradition. The history of the month-long celebration goes back over one hundred years. Introducing ... PEOPLE's Products Worth the Hype, Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Both men were widely celebrated by the black communities at the start of Negro History Week in 1926. By 1969 interest in black history had grown exponentially thanks to the efforts of many brave men and women who marched for civil rights throughout the 1960s, undoubtedly urged on by the work of Carter G. Woodson. Now, the holiday has evolved, with organizations like Black Lives Matter looking towards the future of Black Americans and celebrating Black Future Month in conjunction with Black History Month. Walker, who was the first U.S. woman to become a self-made millionaire, and George Washington Carver who derived nearly 300 products from the peanut. The term negro is not used today. SHARE. Black History Month is an entire month devoted to putting a spotlight on African Americans who have made contributions to our country. This explosive era of history brought along the transition of Negro History Week to Black History Month (the term “negro” having become outdated and offensive). Of all the cities you learned about in school that no longer exist, Fort … Release Number CB20-FF.01 To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week. First Woman Representative: Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to the House of Representatives. Black History Month Facts Printable Timeline. I hope that this printable is a jumping off place for your Black History Month series! The era was to a great extent defined by their quest for autonomy and equal ...read more, Amid the harsh repression of slavery, Americans of African descent, and particularly black women, managed–sometimes at their own peril–to preserve the culture of their ancestry and articulate both their struggles and hopes in their own words and images. Interesting Facts About Black History Month. Additionally, our Black History Month worksheets highlight the Civil Rights movement, Brown vs Board of Education, the Montgomery Bus Boycott and many other historically significant moments. Woodson established the Journal of Negro History in 1916 and the Negro History Bulletin in 1937 as a means of giving Black scholars a place to publish their research and findings. A number of African American female athletes have emerged as trailblazers in their particular sports over the years, from track and field and tennis to figure skating and basketball. She established Madame C.J. According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, “Woodson built Negro History Week around traditional days of commemorating the black past. Every year, a theme is chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and this year the theme is African Americans and the Vote. This year I created a Black History Month facts printable. Though the practice of celebrating Black History Month originated in America, other countries have since started celebrating. Fifteen-year-old civil rights activist Claudette Colvin came before Parks in … It became a month long celebration in 1976. He was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and served on the court from 1967 to 1991. Black History Month: A Medical Perspective - Exhibited February-March 1999 and February-March 2006 How to Use My Black History Month Facts Printable. In honor of Black History Month, here are some facts about black history in America that even … The first celebration occurred on Feb. 12, 1926. Great Moments In Black History. ...read more, The Black Panthers, also known as the Black Panther Party, was a political organization founded in 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale to challenge police brutality against the African American community. Among prominent figures are Madam C.J. Originally, it was seen as a way of teaching students and young people about the contributions of Black and African Americans in school, as they had (and still have) been often forgotten or left out of the narrative of the growth of America. That was the official beginning of a systematic celebration of black history, art and culture in the US. This comprehensive guide to your study of Black History is an incredible addition to any social studies class during Black History Month 2020, or at any time throughout the year.. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Famous Protestors: While Rosa Parks is credited with helping to spark the Civil Rights movement when she refused to give up her public bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955–inspiring the Montgomery Bus Boycott—the lesser-known Claudette Colvin was arrested nine months prior for not giving up her bus seat to white passengers. The NAACP was founded on the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Find out what your cat is trying to tell you with a new cat app, Princess Diana died when Harry was just 12 years old, Engineer Creates App To Translate Your Cat, The Sweetest Photos of Princes Harry with Diana, Sean Connery's Cause of Death Revealed Weeks After He Dies at Age 90. Walker was born on a cotton plantation in Louisiana and became wealthy after inventing a line of African American hair care products. When he was elected to the post of Town Clerk for Brownhelm, Ohio, in 1855 Langston became one of the first African Americans ever elected to public office in America. Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. Dressed in black berets and black leather jackets, the Black Panthers ...read more, On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation: “All persons held as slaves within any States…in rebellion against the United States,” it declared, “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” (The more than 1 million slaves in the loyal ...read more, With more than two centuries’ worth of U.S. presidential elections, the historical ledger is filled with an array of facts. She broke ground again four years later in 1972 when she was the first major party African American candidate and the first female candidate for president of the United States. Before Black History month was an entire month long, it was only celebrated for one week in February. We owe the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Black History Month is celebrated annually in the United States, Canada, in the United Kingdom and in Germany. And so began Negro History Week. Led by Woodson, the son of former slaves and second American American to earn a doctorate from Harvard, the movement began as one week and quickly spread throughout university and schools until it became an entire month. Ali, the self-proclaimed "greatest [boxer] of all time," was originally named after his father, who was … GETTY IMAGES (2), Credit: Celebrate Black History Today. SHARE. The fight for Black History month was not so much a fight as it was a movement. In doing so, he increased his chances for success.”, RELATED: These Teachers Have Taken Door-Decorating to New Levels for Black History Month. Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights organization, was … It became a month-long celebration in 1976. Heavyweight Champ: Jack Johnson became the first African American man to hold the World Heavyweight Champion boxing title in 1908. Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is a celebration of Black History. Here’s what you should know about the tradition that started over a century ago. Black History Month began as Negro History Week. Welcome to BlackHistory.com! As the saying goes, black history is American history — and it’s a varied and rich history. The first Black History Month was suggested by the leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University in Ohio in Februar… Happy learning! Self-Made Millionaire: Madam C.J. January 22, 2020. RELATED: Notable Moments in Black History to Celebrate this Week, From Nelson Mandela’s Release to Frederick Douglass’ Birthday, The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of two men in particular, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. First Black Billionaire: Before Oprah Winfrey and Michael Jordan joined the billionaire’s club, Robert Johnson became the first African American billionaire when he sold the cable station he founded, Black Entertainment Television (BET) in 2001. In 1926, the men were looking for a way to make those previously unsung contributions of African Americans known to the public. Black History Month honors the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. Now, it is seen as a celebration of those who’ve impacted not just the country, but the world with their activism and achievements. Though the Union victory had given some 4 million slaves their freedom, the question of ...read more, One of the most important aspects of Reconstruction was the active participation of African Americans (including thousands of former slaves) in the political, economic and social life of the South. Check them out below and tell us if you've learned anything new on social media using the hashtag #BHMX. We profile African Americans who made and/or are still making significant contributions to technology, business, entertainment, politics, and even sports! In August of 1619, a journal entry recorded that “20 and odd” Angolans, kidnapped by the Portuguese, arrived in the British colony of Virginia and were then were bought by English colonists. Walker Laboratories and was also known for her philanthropy. Credit: Coyote Ugly Turns 20: Where Is the Cast Now? Black History Today. Spurred by growing racial violence in the early 20th century, and particularly by 1908 race riots in Springfield, Illinois, a group of African American leaders joined together to form a new permanent civil rights organization, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Black History Month: The celebration of Black History Month began as “Negro History Week,” which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator and publisher. Negro History Week Was the Start of Black History in the 1900’s. A wise nation honors […] Supreme Court Justice: Thurgood Marshall was the first African American ever appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Blacks Absent from History Books. Facts for Features: National African-American (Black) History Month: February 2020. EMAIL. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness.