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Bayard Rustin Speaking with Kids before Demonstration

10 Ideas for Teaching Black History Month

January 08, 2015

February is Black History Month

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month, which is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Black people in U.S. history. Black History Month grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent Black people.

Carter Godwin Woodson (1875-1950) was an American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. He has been called the "father of Black history."

The 15th Amendment, ratified on February 3, 1870, declared that the "right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

Abernathy, Martin and Loretta King and Marchers for the Right to Vote

Civil Rights Movement Co-Founder Dr. Ralph David Abernathy and his wife Mrs. Juanita Abernathy follow with Dr. and Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr. as the Abernathy children march on the front line, leading the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965.

Depiction of the first vote for African Americans in Virginia

In 1867, freedmen registered to vote in Virginia. Artist Alfred Rudolph Waud depicted "The First Vote" of African Americans in Virginia in the November 16, 1867 issue of Harper's Weekly magazine.

African American children encouraging people to register to vote

A large group of African American children gather around a sign encouraging people to register to vote.

Demonstrators protest against civil rights abuses against African Americans and other disenfranchised groups

During the March on Washington, the National Council of Churches and thousands of other demonstrators protest against employment discrimination and civil rights abuses against African Americans and other disenfranchised groups, August 28, 1963.

Demonstrators with signs march for voting rights, jobs, an end to police brutality at the March on Washington, 1963

Demonstrators march for voting rights, jobs, an end to police brutality and other injustices against African Americans and other disenfranchised groups during the March on Washington, August 28, 1963.

Black History Month 2023 Theme, "Black Resistance"

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) determines the theme each year for Black History Month. They explain, "African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction."

Teaching Black History

In schools and classrooms, Black History Month is an excellent time to explore the Black experience—including the history, culture and achievements of Black people, the injustice faced by them and how that injustice has been and continues to be confronted and overcome. As with other similarly themed months, it is important not to isolate Black history and culture into one month during the year. Black history is U.S. history and should be integrated into the curriculum throughout the school year.