February is National African American
History Month, and the commemoration would not have gotten off the ground without
the work of an African American scholar. Carter G. Woodson, (1875-1950) a noted
historian and son of former slaves, founded the Association for the Study of Negro
Life and History in 1915. (This organization was later renamed the Association
for the Study of African American Life and History.) Woodson initiated Black History
Week, Feb. 12, 1926, and for many years African Americans celebrated it the second
week of February. Woodson selected this week to coincide with the birthdays of
Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. The celebration was expanded during America's
Bicentennial in 1976 and became established as African American History Month.
During this month, Americans are encouraged to learn about and celebrate African
American history. Great leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are remembered
and honored. And in fact, Dr. King is honored on his own day. It began with celebrations
on his Jan. 15 birthday, and since 1986, has been recognized as a federal legal
holiday the third Monday in January. The holiday is celebrated in some form in
100 countries around the world. Take some time to explore the rich tapestry
of African American history and culture using the following resources. [
Top of page ] African
American historical references Visit the Smithsonian Institution's
museum of African American history and culture. anacostia.si.edu Africans
in America: this site works with the televised series from the Public Broadcasting
System. www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/home.html African
American Women Writers of the 19th Century digital.nypl.org/schomburg/writers_aa19/toc.html
Learn more about African-American women. scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/collections/african-american-women.html
Search this collection of African-American educational photos. http://www.lib.virginia.edu/speccol/jdavis
AfriGeneas explores African American genealogy. http://www.afrigeneas.com/ Amistad
site covers this important historical incident. www.amistadamerica.org
Online
historical texts about African Americans historicaltextarchive.com/sections.php?op=listarticles&secid=8
View
The African-American Mosaic from the Library of Congress. lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/african/intro.html Check
out this large collection of perspectives about African Americans from the Library
of Congress' American Memory Collection. lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/aap/aaphome.html
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture www.nypl.org/research/sc
[
Top of page ] Sources
on slavery Delve into U.S. historical documents about slavery.
www.bungi.com/cfip/slavery.htm
This independent timeline of slavery and civil rights is very useful; lots
of materials to make lessons. www.innercity.org/holt/slavechron.html
Children can follow the drinking gourd and find their way to freedom. www.quest.arc.nasa.gov/ltc/special/mlk/gourd1.html
Find activities about slavery. http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/resources/search/?k=slavery
The
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has resources for teaching this subject.
Extensive. www.undergroundrailroad.com
Try The Underground Railroad from National Geographic, too. www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad American
Slave Narratives: read from an online anthology of interviews compiled by the
Works Progress Administration in 1936-38. xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/wpa/wpahome.html [
Top of page ] Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement Visit
The King Center. thekingcenter.com
This is a large base of information and includes primary resources kept at
Stanford University. www.stanford.edu/group/king/
See
this short timeline of the Civil Rights Movement. www.withylaw.com/history.htm
[
Top of page ] Current
information on Africa and African American issues
Find CIA Maps of Africa. www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/CIA_Maps/menu_CIA.html
Africa Guide includes every country. www.africaguide.com/
Afropop Worldwide Listener's Guide from World Music Productions
showcases African-styled music. www.afropop.org
Civil Rights Resource Guide http://www.multcolib.org/homework/civilrights/
Explorers of Africa www.zoomschool.com/explorers/africa.shtml
African data www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Home_Page/WWW_Links.html | 
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