Black History Month
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Born in New Canton, Virginia, in 1875, Carter G. Woodson would never see the first Black History Month. The historian, best known for his 1933 book “The Miseducation of the Negro,” recognized throughout his studies the dearth of African Americans in the nation’s curriculum.
For Educators & Parents
Learning Journeys for the Classroom, Home and Museum Visits
Join us in exploring stories of African Americans in the Arts throughout February, with a special focus on art as a platform for social justice.
To stem the tide and bring to the fore those lost voices, Woodson founded in 1915 the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History). He launched the following year The Journal of African American History, one of the earliest scholarly journals publishing African American research, history and book reviews. Since its inception, ASALH has promoted year-round and year-after-year study of African American history.
Seeking to bring even more stories of African Americans to light, in 1926, Woodson founded the first Negro History Week. This was timed in February to coincide with President Abraham Lincoln’s and Fredrick Douglass’s birthdays - both men were symbols of freedom. It wasn’t until 1976 that President Gerald Ford extended the observation to a full month - one honoring the contributions of black Americans to this day.
For Woodson, such associations and commemorations provided a kind of “real education” - one that “inspires people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better.”
Since the mid-1970s, U.S. presidents have issued proclamations supporting ASALH's themes to celebrate African Americans' many achievements, culture and history.
For Educators & Parents
Learning Journeys for the Classroom, Home and Museum Visits
Join us in exploring stories of African Americans in the Arts throughout February, with a special focus on art as a platform for social justice.
This February, the museum is celebrating Black History Month with educational programs, ongoing tours and activities, and our award-winning public programs.
Events & Programs
Iconic Looks: Muse: Cicely Tyson and Me: A Relationship Forged in Fashion
Concourse, Oprah Winfrey Theater + streaming
Series: Black History Month 2024
Free; Registration Required
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Sweet Home Café Chef’s Table with R/A Executive Chef Jeff Cortez
Concourse Level
Series: Black History Month 2024
Free to attend. Menu items vary in price.
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Concourse Level
Series: Black History Month 2024
Free to attend. Menu items vary in price.
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Film Screening: Enter the Dragon
Concourse, Oprah Winfrey Theater
Series: Black History Month 2024
Free; Registration Required
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Educators & Parents
Explore More! in STEM: Having Fun with Frequencies
2nd Floor Classrooms
Series: Black History Month Education
This is a *free* event!
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Virtual Art Workshop: Gel Plate Printing
Online
Series: Black History Month Education
$20
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Explore More! in STEM: Flying High with the Triple Nickles
2nd Floor Classrooms
Series: Black History Month Education
This is a *free* event!
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Explore More! in STEM: To the Moon and Beyond!
2nd Floor Classrooms
Series: Black History Month Education
This is a *free* event!
View event details
Explore More! in STEM: To the Moon and Beyond!
2nd Floor Classrooms
Series: Black History Month Education
This is a *free* event!
View event details
Gallery Talks & Tours
Spotlights: Freedom Now! The Modern Civil Rights Movement (1945-1968)
Program meets at the entrance to Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation 1876-1968 exhibition, located on C2. Each 25 min talk takes place at 12:45 PM and 2:45 PM.
Series: Black History Month Tours
Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur.
View event details
Slavery and Freedom Highlights Tour
Program meets in the Slavery and Freedom exhibition, located on C3. One hour tours take place at 1:15 PM and 2:30 PM.
Series: Black History Month Tours
Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur.
View event details
Slavery and Freedom Highlights Tour
Program meets in the Slavery & Freedom exhibition, located on C3. One hour tours take place at 10:15 AM and 11:30 AM.
Series: Black History Month Tours
Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur.
View event details
Big Objects, Big Stories: The Life of Toussaint L'Ouverture by Jacob Lawrence
Program meets at the L'Ouverture screen print, in the Visual Arts Gallery, L4. Each 15-minute program starts at: 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:30 PM.
Series: Black History Month Tours
Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur.
View event details
Making A Way Out of No Way Highlights Tour
Program meets in the Making A Way Out of No Way exhibition, L3. Each 1-hour tour takes place at 1:30 PM and 2:45 PM.
Series: Black History Month Tours
Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur.
View event details
Slavery and Freedom Highlights Tour
Program meets in the Slavery & Freedom exhibition, located on C3. One hour tours take place at 10:15 AM and 11:30 AM.
Series: Black History Month Tours
Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur.
View event details
Big Objects, Big Stories: Plywood panel mural from Resurrection City
Program meets at the Plywood panel mural from Resurrection City, in the A Changing America 1968 and Beyond exhibition., C1. Each 15-min talk takes place at: 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM.
Series: Black History Month Tours
Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur.
View event details
Spotlights: Freedom Now! The Modern Civil Rights Movement (1945-1968)
Program meets at the entrance to Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation 1876-1968 exhibition, C2. Each 25-min talk takes place at 10:45 PM and 11:45 AM.
Series: Black History Month Tours
Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur.
View event details
Slavery and Freedom Highlights Tour
Program meets in the Slavery and Freedom exhibition, located on C3. One hour tours take place at 1:15 PM and 2:30 PM.
Series: Black History Month Tours
Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur.
View event details
Big Objects, Big Stories: Afrofuturist Harriet Tubman
Program meets at the Harriet Tubman Quilt by Bisa Butler, in the Visual Arts Gallery, L4. Each 15-minute program starts at: 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM, and 12:15 PM.
Series: Black History Month Tours
Free; walk-in
Tours are subject to docent availability; last minute cancellations may occur.
View event details
Black History Month Digital Toolkit
Join us in uplifting the humanity, innovation and vision of African American artists throughout February.
Explore! about Black History Month Digital Toolkit
Tags
Activism Civil Rights Education Historic Moments
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Black History Month is an annual observance in the United States that takes place in February. It is a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. The observance began as Negro History Week in 1926 and was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1976. The founder of Negro History Week, Carter G. Woodson, was a historian who recognized the lack of African American history in the nation's curriculum and sought to bring more stories of African Americans to light. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History) in 1915 and launched The Journal of African American History in 1916, one of the earliest scholarly journals publishing African American research, history, and book reviews.
The timing of Black History Month in February is significant. It coincides with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both of whom were symbols of freedom. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month as a national observance in 1976, urging Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."
Black History Month is celebrated through various events, programs, and activities. Museums, educational institutions, and community organizations often host exhibitions, lectures, film screenings, and performances that highlight the achievements and contributions of African Americans. These events provide opportunities for people to learn about African American history, culture, and art, and to engage in discussions about social justice and civil rights.
In the National Museum of American History, for example, there are several events and programs being held to celebrate Black History Month. These include a fashion-related event called "Iconic Looks: Muse: Cicely Tyson and Me: A Relationship Forged in Fashion," a chef's table event at the Sweet Home Café, and a film screening of "Enter the Dragon." There are also educational programs and tours focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and art workshops.
Overall, Black History Month is an important time to recognize and honor the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history. It provides an opportunity to learn about their stories, celebrate their accomplishments, and reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality and social justice.
