Celebrate African-American History Month!

February is African-American History Month! How much do you know about African-American History? How do you celebrate African-American heritage?

African-American History Month is a great time to recognize and honor the contributions African-Americans have made to United States history. It is also a great opportunity to learn more about the brave women and men who helped to shape the country into what it is today.

The idea for African-American History Month began in 1926, when a historian named Carter Woodson hoped to raise awareness about the important contributions of African-Americans to the nation’s history. That year, Negro History Week was celebrated.

As time went by, more and more Americans started to recognize and appreciate the celebration, but it wasn’t until 1976 that the celebration was extended to an entire month.

It is now a month to honor the accomplishments of all African-Americans throughout history. This years theme is “African Americans and the Civil War,” which honors the efforts of African-Americans to bring an end to slavery.

How much do you know about African-American history? Test your knowledge with these informational quizzes about African-American history and Martin Luther King Jr.

New Moon Girls know a lot about African-American history and heritage! Hannah, 14, Maryland wrote an awesome story about President Barak Obama, the first African-American president of the United States. Grace, 11, Minnesota shared a book review of “Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry,” about the mistreatment of African-Americans after the end of slavery.

Myriah, 10, Oklahoma shared recipes for “soul food,” check them out here!

Are you or someone you know of an African-American background? Share your story and traditions on the Ethnic Backgrounds message board!

How much do you know about African-American history and heritage? How will you celebrate this month? Share with us in the comments below!

Emily

New Moon Intern

  • Gussi

    Right now for Black “Herstory” Month I am reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin a great story of a mother who is faced with a test in her courage when she learns her child will be taken away from her. And Freedom Walkers a book about the montgomery bus boycott. I am also gonna take a Gullah Tour, Gullah is the language the slaves created that is a fusion of many African Tongues.

  • Natykone

    I feel this is a beautiful thing to celebrate and it’s a way to find black friends! 

  • Isabel Wandervelde

    I have just published a historical novel about one of the black men who founded Aiken County SC during Reconstruction.  Too many people, both white and black, do not know much about these fine men.  I chose Sam J. Lee, because he was the mulattor son of General Sam McGowan and went to the Confederate Army with him to fight till Appomatox, and then went home to Abbeville, SC to fight his father and other leading white men for his rights as a black ciitizen.  He became a state legislator, was Speaker of the House, and a licensed lawyer.  Lee and other men like him are seldom spoken of in history books.  My novel is “FATHER AND SON AT WAR”, and my history book is “AIKEN COUNTY, the only SC County founded during Reconstruction”.  I think it is too bad black children are not taught about brave men like Sam Lee, and his compatriots, Prince Rivers and others who did not stay down like they were supposed, but sought the full meaning of freedom for themselves and others.