Black History Month is a time to celebrate and honor the immense contributions and accomplishments of Black individuals throughout history. Celebrated annually in the United States and Canada during the month of February, the story begins in Chicago during the summer of 1915. Carter G. Woodson, an alumnus of the University of Chicago and Harvard, traveled to Washington, D.C., with many friends, to participate in a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of emancipation. Inspired by that three-day event, Woodson decided to form an organization to promote the scientific study of Black life and history. He met with A. L. Jackson and three others and formed the now-known-as Association for the Study of African American Life and History. In 1926, Woodson and the ASALH established Negro History Week to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. This week eventually evolved into Black History Month in the 1970s.
As educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that our students have a comprehensive understanding of the contributions and experiences of Black people, not only during the month of February but throughout the entire year.
Black History Month is an important opportunity to not only celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Black individuals but also to reflect and critically examine our own biases, and work toward creating a more inclusive and equitable learning environment and society for all.
We would like to share with you some short videos that showcase the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. These videos are a few great resources to use in your classroom to celebrate Black History Month. For others, please check out UntoldEdu History Channel on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpN8-4S0c64IVKYPdeMxBuQ), and follow up on Instagram and Twitter @UntoldEdu.
Marie van Brittan Brown: Creating CCTV in Queens
Questions to ask
- In what ways do you think Marie van Brittan Brown’s invention influenced the development of modern security technology?
- She was awarded a patent for her invention; why is that significant?
The Negro League Baseball: Shattering Segregation
Questions to ask
- Who were some of the notable players and teams in the Negro Leagues, and what accomplishments did they achieve?
- How did the integration of baseball in 1947, known as the “color barrier” being broken, impact the Negro Leagues and the broader civil rights movement?
Slavery in Democracies: The Great Hypocrisy
Questions to ask
- How did the practice of slavery coexist with the principles of democracy and freedom in the United States and other democratic societies during the 18th and 19th centuries?
- How did the abolitionist movement challenge and confront the hypocrisy of slavery in democratic societies?
- How did the enslaved people resist and challenge the institution of slavery in a democratic society that denied them rights and freedom?
The Power of Fashion: From Oppression to Rebellion
Questions to ask
- How has fashion been used as a tool for self-expression and resistance throughout history?
- How do marginalized communities use fashion to assert their identity and visibility in a society that often seeks to marginalize and oppress them?
- How can fashion be used to empower individuals and push for social change?
Elizabeth Freeman: Abolition Pioneer
Questions to ask
- What impact did Elizabeth Freeman have on the abolition of slavery in the United States?
- How did Elizabeth Freeman’s experiences as an enslaved person shape her activism and advocacy for the abolition of slavery?
Black History Month
Black History Month is an important time for educators and students to recognize and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Black people throughout history, and also serves as an opportunity to acknowledge and learn about the struggles and injustices of the past and present. View resources from our curriculum-spanning Black History Month collection of free preK-12 lesson plans and activities.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Want to see more stories like this one? Subscribe to the SML e-newsletter!
Untold History explores stories, people and artifacts that students won’t learn about in an ordinary text book. Perhaps now more than ever, our history is a vital and very present part of the world around us.
