February Is Black History Month

February is Black History Month.   Schools, families and the media celebrate the role of black Americans in American history.  

Black History Month started with Dr. Carter Woodson.   He spent his life making sure that history books told the truth about black history.   He found that history books omitted black history, or were not truthful. The history books failed to tell about the many accomplishments of blacks in American history.

Even the work of important inventors, like George Washington Carver were left out of books before Dr. Woodson began his work.   

Dr. Woodson chose February to promote black history because of the February birthdays of President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

  Frederick Douglass was a leader of the “abolitionist” movement.   He fought to end slavery within the United States before the Civil War.   He also fought to get blacks the right to vote and other civil rights. Lincoln helped end slavery in the U.S.

Programs at libraries, museums, on TV

Americans celebrate Black History Month in many ways. The “History Channel” on cable offers programs all month long showing African-American war heroes, aviators, ministers and more.  

Familyeducation.com on Internet offers activities for kids, like worksheets, articles and coloring pages.   Some local museums dedicate exhibits of history, art, or science to the work of black creators.  

The U.S. government's “Free” online resource site at www.ed.gov/free also offers interesting facts about black history and the people who made history.

Many Wisconsin libraries hold black history programs during February.   The Milwaukee Public Library is hosting programs to celebrate African-American history, crafts and music.   Visitors can learn to make a knotted bracelet with glass African beads or play games like, “Black History Jeopardy.”  

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers free programs that are open to the public. It is showing the film, “Standing on My Sister's Shoulders.” It is a movie about the civil rights movement from the point of view of three women.   “African Art and Artifacts” also will be on display at the University all month long.  

Check your local newspaper for programs that celebrate Black History Month where you live.   There are activities for all ages.