Black History
African Americans have played a central role in shaping U.S. history. From slavery and its abolition to the Great Migration, the civil rights movement and military, scientific, cultural and political achievements, explore key moments, milestones, facts and figures in Black History.
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See important dates and facts about the African American experience.
Black inventors changed the way we live through their many innovations, from the traffic light to the ironing board.
From a bus boycott to Freedom Rides to a march for fair housing, here are seven events that triggered change.
Black History Month honors the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. Learn about famous firsts in African American history and other little-known facts.
Black History Month
Black History Month
A brief look at the history of African Americans and Black History Month.
3 Key Movements in Black History
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Between 1956 and 1958, Gibson became the first Black player to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals. But none of it came easy.
Having grown up in the segregated South, Ashe became the first Black man to win the U.S. Open in 1968. The victory helped him find his voice on a wide array of social-justice issues.
A diverse coalition of mostly student activists converged in Mississippi in 1964 to challenge efforts to suppress the African American vote.
The federal holiday commemorates the effective end of slavery in the United States.
In 1909 African American Matthew Henson trekked with explorer Robert Peary, reaching what they claimed was the North Pole. Who got there first?
Take a look back at the cultural phenomenon of the 'Roots' TV series and its lasting legacy.
Vernon AME Church and the Legacy of the Tulsa Race Massacre
Rev. Dr. Robert Turner recounts the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, during which 37 blocks were destroyed. The Vernon AME church basement served as a sanctuary and remains a symbol of resilience. This legacy is preserved to inspire healing.
These Black female artists and writers found mainstream success and recognition.
The two 19th century leaders had deep respect for each other. But one was openly—and harshly—critical.
As Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party loomed over Europe, an American and a German boxer squared off in the ring. They'd meet again two years later.
Why Harry Truman Ended Segregation in the US Military in 1948
On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, mandating the desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces and ending 170 years of officially sanctioned racial discrimination in the military. Although African Americans had served since the Revolutionary War, they were typically segregated from white troops and often assigned to menial roles. A landmark achievement of both the postwar civil rights movement and Truman’s presidency, the order marked one of the first times a U.S. president used executive authority to advance civil rights. It also helped pave the way for broader desegregation efforts across American society.
