The first celebration of African-American history week took place in February, 1926. Initiated by American historian Carter Woodson, the week celebrated the contributions to America by people of African descent, and commemorated important people and events in the history of the Africa diaspora. In 1976, the week was expanded into a full month. Each year, U.S. presidents proclaim February as National African-American History Month.
The Eisenhower Library has a rich collection of both primary and secondary sources on African-American history and culture. Whether you are interested in black poetry, drama, newspaper, music, images or slavery accounts, the following resources will offer you a rewarding discovery:
- Black Studies Center
- Black Thought and Culture: African Americans to 1975
- African American Poetry, 1760-1900
- Slavery and Anti-Slavery: Debates over Slavery and Abolition
- Black Drama, 1850 to Present
- African American Newspapers: The 19th Century
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