February is African American History Month
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.
NAACP: A Century in the Fight for Freedom
This new exhibition at the Library of Congress presents a retrospective of the major personalities, events, and achievements that shaped the NAACP’s history during its first 100 years.
National Museum of African American History and Culture
The StoryCorps Griot Project is a year-long initiative funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to gather and preserve the life stories of African American families.
Frederick Douglass Virtual Museum Exhibit
This exhibit showcases Frederick Douglass' life at Cedar Hill, Anacostia, Southeast Washington, D.C., his last home. He lived here from 1878 until his death in 1895. His home provided the backdrop to his active political and warm family life.
Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States
Barack Obama became the first black president in the history of the United States on Jan. 20, 2009. The former Illinois senator only served one term in Congress before being elected commander-in-chief.
President Obama takes the Oath of Office on the Lincoln Bible
Veterans History
African Americans serving in the military service throughout U.S. history have often fought on two fronts: fighting the actual enemy and fighting a system of segregation and exclusion.
For Teachers
Put the power of primary sources to work in the classroom. Browse ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids.
2010 Theme
Event Hightlights
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February 1-29
Ongoing ExhibitionIndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas
Focusing on the lives, past and present, of people of dual African American and Native American ancestry, this exhibition includes stories of cultural integration and the struggle to define and preserve identity.
(National Museum of the American Indian) -
February 3
NAACP Online Exhibition LaunchesJoining the Librarian of Congress to launch this new site will be keynote speaker Benjamin Jealous, NAACP President and CEO; AARP Vice-President, Multicultural Markets, Edna Kane-Williams; and special guests U.S. Reps. James Clyburn and Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
(Library of Congress) -
February 6
Family Day Celebration
The Smithsonian’s kickoff of Black History Month includes an award-winning interactive theatrical presentation, a musical program, a puppet show, and genealogy activities.
(Smithsonian National Museum of American History) -
February 18
Lecture
Explore the legacy of historian John Hope Franklin as the newly updated 9th edition of his landmark work From Slavery to Freedom is released.
(National Archives) -
February 26
Symposium"The NAACP: Reflections on the First 100 Years" The symposium will explore both the history of the NAACP, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009, and its future.
(Library of Congress)