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Black History Month is an opportunity to highlight the lives of African American leaders, thinkers, and innovators in U.S. history. Explore their remarkable stories and achievements with our Biographies features, and investigate the social and historical context surrounding their lives and the valuable impact their accomplishments continue to have today.
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(1918–2020). During her long career working for the U.S. space program, American mathematician Katherine Johnson calculated and analyzed the flight paths of many spacecraft.
(Born 1961). 44th president of the United States and the first African American to hold the office. Before winning the presidency, Obama represented Illinois in the U.S. Senate.
(1862–1931). African American journalist and civil rights advocate Ida B. Wells-Barnett led an antilynching crusade in the United States in the 1890s by using newspapers and lectures.
(Born 1956). Trained as a physician and engineer, Mae Jemison was the first African American woman to become an astronaut. In 1992 she spent eight days orbiting Earth.
(1864?–1943). American agricultural chemist George Washington Carver helped to modernize the agricultural economy of the South and helped liberate the South from its dependency on cotton.
(1937–2021). Colin Powell was a U.S. general and a statesman. He served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as secretary of state, the first African American to hold either position.
Row 1: Katherine Johnson, NASA; Barack Obama, Pete Souza/The White House; Ida B. Wells-Barnett, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Row 2: Mae Jemison, NASA; George Washington Carver, Johnston (Frances Benjamin) Collection/Library of Congress, Washington D.C. (LC-J601-302); Colin Powell, © Smontgom65/Dreamstime
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In this interactive lesson, students will learn about the historical background of the Civil Rights Movement in America and several brave individuals and groups who stood up against racial segregation during the 1950s and 1960s.
Information sourced from Expedition: Learn!. Not a subscriber? Contact us to learn more.
Through media, text, and images, discuss the following questions:
Information sourced from Expedition: Learn!. Not a subscriber? Contact us to learn more.
Through media, text, and images, discuss the following questions:
From politicians to astronauts, these modern-day heroes have already made their mark on history. Easily explore curated collections of Britannica School articles and multimedia featuring the following and many more.
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Lebon James, © Dgareri/Dreamstime.com. Kamala Harris; Official White House photo by Adam Schultz. Noam Galai/Getty Images Entertainment. Chris Jackson/Getty Images. Eddie Murphy; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images. Serena Williams; Scott Barbour/Getty Images. Jay-Z; PRNewsFoto/VH1/AP Images. Michelle Obama, Joyce N. Boghosian/The White House.
Fearlessly carving paths of inspiration and progress, these groundbreaking figures have left an indelible mark on history. From politicians to pilots, discover the resilience and triumphs of these heroes with enlightening articles and dynamic multimedia.
Information sourced from Britannica School. Not a subscriber? Contact us to learn more.
Abolitionist and Civil Rights Leader
Pilot and Performer
Poet and Writer
Professional Tennis Player and Golfer
Educator and Reformer
Shirley Chisholm, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.; Frederick Douglass, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.; Bessie Coleman, NASA; Langston Hughes, Jack Delano—OWI/Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.;Althea Gibson, Encyclopædia Britannica; Booker T. Washington, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Get a glimpse into how a stand-out institution honors Black culture, history, and more through community engagement and education with this video. Take your learning beyond the classroom with BlackPast’s extensive list of museums and education centers that celebrate Black History across the country.
This non-profit museum in Louisiana is the first of its kind, dedicated to educating the public about the history and legacies of slavery in the United States through museum exhibits, historical structures, memorials, events, and personal narratives.
Videos sourced from Britannica School. Not a subscriber? Contact us to learn more.
Get a glimpse into how a stand-out institution honors Black culture, history, and more through community engagement and education with this video. Take your learning beyond the classroom with BlackPast’s extensive list of museums and education centers that celebrate Black History across the country.
This non-profit museum in Louisiana is the first of its kind, dedicated to educating the public about the history and legacies of slavery in the United States through museum exhibits, historical structures, memorials, events, and personal narratives.
Videos sourced from Britannica School. Not a subscriber? Contact us to learn more.
Carter G. Woodson; Hulton Archive/Getty Images. Great Migration; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Segregation; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Jim Crow Laws; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. March on Washington; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Underground Railroad; Photos.com/Getty Images. Negro League Baseball
At Britannica Education, our purpose is to empower educators to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences that ignite curiosity. We believe every student has the ability to learn and grow. We are committed to supporting educators in their efforts to help learners reach their full potential. Read more ▸
Dive deep into the vibrant heart of Black history this February! Our 30-minute hands-on experience empowers you to learn and curate your very own African-American Heritage Resource Packs. Transform your teaching and bring history to life—one pack at a time. Attendance is open to all; Britannica School subscribers are strongly encouraged to join.
View the available lessons for elementary and middle school science and social studies
Choose between 4 reading levels to meet the needs of every learner
Each Expedition: Learn! Lesson begins with a video to spark students’ interest in the topic
Ignite the spark of curiosity and accelerate learning
For Elementary or High School reading levels, please contact us.
