About Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a month-long celebration of African American history.

In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson organized the first annual Black History Week, which took place the second week of February. Dr. Woodson was one of the first black Americans to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University. He chose the month of February to honor African Americans because it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two men with a history of helping African Americans rise in society. Over the years, Black History Week evolved into Black History Month.
Expanded Content: Black History Month
» The History of Black History
» Famous Quotes from African Americans
» 15 African American History Facts
» 5 Georgian African American History Makers
» African American Census Bureau Facts
» The Civil Rights Era: Library of Congress Rep't
» Map of Major Civil Rights Events
» African American History Sites in Georgia
» Gallery: Famous African American Firsts
» Debunking Myths of Black History
» Programs to Watch on WXIA-TV
Special: Black History Spotlight
Man Amasses Black History Treasure Trove
As a child growing up in the 1940s, Charles Blockson was once told by a white teacher that black people had made no contributions to history.
Boxer's Life Offers History Lesson
This week at the Carter Center, HBO premiered its new documentary on the life of legendary boxer Joe Louis.
Black History Moment: Althea Gibson
Althea Gibson was the first African American to play in and win Wimbledon.
Black History Moment: Hattie McDaniel
Hattie McDaniel was the first African American performer to win an Academy Award. She won the award for best supporting actress for her role as Mammy in "Gone With The Wind."
Black History Moment: Daniel Hale Williams
The first African American doctor to perform an open-heart surgery (and one of the earliest recorded surgeries of that type), was Dr. Daniel Hale Williams.
Black History Moment: C.J. Walker
The first African American woman millionaire was Madame C.J. Walker.
Black History Month: Teresa Edwards
Teresa Edwards is the only basketball player -- male or female -- to play in five different Olympic Games.
Black History: Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was the great-grandson of a slave and the son of a dining car waiter and a school teacher. He was born in Baltimore in 1908.
Black History Moment: Nat King Cole
So, just who was the first African-American to host a television variety show? It was Nat King Cole, born Nathanial Adams Coles in Montgomery, Ala. in 1919.
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Black History Spotlight Sponsors

Do You Know These Black History Facts?
11Alive's Kids and Schools reporter Donna Lowry went to four Metro Atlanta schools and asked more than 100 kids about Black History Month. Here's what they had to say.
   Chesney Elementary School
   C.S. King Young Women's Leadership Academy
   Randolph Elementary School
   St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School

2008 Black History Study Guide
Learn about Black History firsts in Georgia and across the country, and also keep up with Black History Month events and special programming.
   2008 Black History Study Guide (13MB PDF)

Black History: Events Calendar
Find out what's happening in your neck of the woods for Black History Month. You can also post your own Black History event right to 11Alive.com's Community Calendar.
   Black History: Events Calendar



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