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Resources in Black History

Black History Month

Origin of Black History Month

Black History Month was created by the African American scholar, Carter G. Woodson in 1926; it was originally titled "Negro History Week". The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) was founded by Carter G. Woodson, "The Father of Black History", in 1915.  Carter G. Woodson is a prominent historian, educator, and publisher. Carter G. Woodson was the author of many noteworthy books on Black Americans.  In the early twentieth century, he identified a need for educating Americans on Black history, finding them "overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them" ("Carter G. Woodson", n.d.).  Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, and The Journal of Negro History in 1916. In 1976, "Negro History Week" became "Black History Month."  Black History Month celebrates the struggle, resilience, and strides the Black American community has had overtime, but it also encompasses the contributions that Black and African Americans have made to the country.  Learn more on The Origins of Black History Month.

2025 Black History Theme Executive Summary

Black History Month Events, Exhibits and Resources

The UCNJ Libraries provide access to The Journal of Negro History, as well as The Journal of African American History - the name it is published under today.  You can find these journals in our JSTOR and Ethnic Diversity Source Library databases. See Library of Congress Research guides:

Black History Month: A Commemorative Observances Legal Research Guide (Library of Congress Research Guide)

Today in History - Library of Congress Research Guide from The Harlem Renaissance Collection. 

African American Historical Timelines

This Day in History (History.com)

African American History Timeline 1500 - 2021 (Visual)

African American History Timeline 1500 - 2021 (Text)

Black History Milestones: Timeline

African American History in the American West Timeline - How blacks help to open up the American West

Global African History Timeline - worldwide events that affect blacks

The Civil Rights Movement Timeline 1905-1975

Black History Timeline of the Post-Civil Rights Era

The Civil Rights Act (1964) National Archives

For more timelines visit BlackPast

"BlackPast is dedicated to providing reliable information on the history of Black people across the globe, and especially in North America. Our goal is to promote greater understanding of our common human experience through knowledge of the diversity of the Black experience and the ubiquity of the global Black presence." (quoted from website)

African Americans and Labor

Civil Rights Leaders

"The hard-won advancements of civil rights were made possible by the struggle, commitment, and work of people who stood up to discrimination and white supremacy." (NAACP) 

Black inventors and Inventions

"African Americans have been prolific inventors and innovators. We have gathered on this page profiles of some of the most significant Black Inventors in the United State as well as some inventors of African Ancestry abroad. The main tabs show inventors and the dates of their first patents. Other tabs show inventors who did not receive patents and inventors outside the United States." (BlackPast) 

Invisible Changemakers of Industry: African Americans and labor

African American Firsts

"Reflects on the remarkable achievements of some individuals who were the first in their fields of endeavor" (as per site). 

African Americans at Work: A Photo Essay

African Americans have always been a vital part of the American workforce from enslaved workers in the 19th century to agricultural, industrial, and professional workers in the 20th and 21st centuries. 

Solidarity for Workers' Rights

Resources from the National Museum of African American History and Culture (Smithsonian).

Important Speeches (Videos)

Martin Luther King, Jr. I Have A Dream Speech was delivered at the August 28,1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,

From the series: The Lost Tapes: Malcolm X.  In 1962, a confrontation with the LAPD and members of the Nation of Islam escalated outside of a mosque and resulted in seven members being wounded, and one dead.  Malcolm X condemned this violence in this speech.

John Lewis was only 23 in 1963 when the historic March on Washington was held.  His original speech was actually censored by the event leaders as they thought it could possibly be seen as "too radical".  One line that was taken out was the question: "Which side is the federal government on?"

President Barack Obama's A More Perfect Union speech was given on March 18, 2008.  President Obama bravely gave a speech about sensitive topics concerning race and American history. This speech had mixed reactions from the American public, but many saw it as a uniquely historic event.

UCNJ LibGuides at Union College