Black History in America
Learn About the People, Places, and Events That Shaped the Nation
Understanding Black history is essential to understanding American history. Black History Month is a time to honor the leaders, innovators, and everyday individuals who fought for freedom, equality, and justice. Their courage and determination changed the course of the United States, and many of the places connected to their stories can still be visited today.
Even with progress over the past two centuries, the struggle for equal rights continues. Movements such as Black Lives Matter highlight the ongoing need for justice and reform. By learning about these stories and visiting the places where history happened, families can deepen their understanding of the past and the work still ahead.
Important Figures in Black History
Harriet Tubman
A leading abolitionist who escaped slavery and led dozens of enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Martin Luther King Jr.
A civil rights leader whose speeches and nonviolent activism inspired a national movement for justice and equality.
Rosa Parks
Her refusal to give up her bus seat sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped ignite the civil rights movement.
John Lewis
A Freedom Rider, SNCC leader, and long-time congressman who fought for voting rights and human rights.
Maya Angelou
Poet, author, and activist whose writing and storytelling continue to inspire people around the world.
Sojourner Truth
An abolitionist and women’s rights advocate known for her courage and powerful voice against injustice.
Malcolm X
An influential activist and speaker who championed Black empowerment and self-determination.
Nelson Mandela
A global symbol of resistance who fought apartheid in South Africa and became the nation’s first Black president.
The Places and Events That Shaped History
16th Street Baptist Church
Organizational headquarters for the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama.
Booker T. Washington National Monument
Learn about the life and times of this dominant 19th century African-American leader.
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad
Explore the life of abolitionist and political activist Harriet Tubman.
African Burial Ground National Monument
The largest colonial-era cemetery for people of African descent.
Boston African American National Heritage Site
The Beacon Hill African-American community in Boston that led the fight against slavery.
Nicodemus National Historic Site
Founded in 1877, the historic site preserves the once bustling African American town.
Alabama State Capitol
The third Selma to Montgomery march ended here with a speech from Martin Luther King Jr.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
Learn about the landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that ended racial segregation in public schools.
Photo Attributions: Many of the photos come from these great photographers
Tulsa Race Massacre
1921
The Tulsa Race Massacre, occurred on May 31 and June 1, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was one of the most severe incidents of racial violence in U.S. history.
The violence erupted after a young Black man, Dick Rowland, was accused of assaulting a white woman, Sarah Page. Mobs of white residents attacked the prosperous Black neighborhood of Greenwood, also known as "Black Wall Street," burning homes and businesses to the ground.
Over 1,000 buildings were destroyed, and an estimated 300 Black residents were killed, while thousands were left homeless. The event was covered up for many years and has only recently been acknowledged and studied in depth.
Image by Wesley Fryer on Flickr
Visit These Museums to Learn More About Black History
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African American Museum
Dallas, Texas -
African American Museum in Philadelphia
Philedelphia, Pennsylvania -
African-American Panoramic Experience Museum
Atlanta, Georgia -
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Birmingham, Alabama -
Black American West Museum and Heritage Center
Denver, Colorado -
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
Richmond, Virginia -
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Detroit, Michigan -
DuSable Museum of African American History
Chicago, Illinois -
International Civil Rights Center & Museum
Greensboro, North Carolina
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Museum of African American History
Boston, Massachusetts -
Museum of the African Diaspora
San Francisco, California -
Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture
Natchez, Mississippi -
National Civil Rights Museum
Memphis, Tennessee -
National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
Baltimore, Maryland -
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Cincinatti, Ohio -
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and National Jazz Museum
Kansas City, Missouri -
New Orleans African American Museum
New Orleans, Louisianna -
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History and Culture
Baltimore, Maryland