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Black History
This guide is designed to supplement the DiPietro Library book display celebrating Black History Month (February).
Meet Carla Hayden, American librarian and the 14th Librarian of Congress. Hayden is the first woman and the first African American to lead the national library.
For more information about Carla Hayden, access the web resources page of this guide.
Podcast episode: The African History Show
What is Black History Month?
February is Black History Month or National African American History Month.
National African American History Month celebrates contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality.
The origins of Black History Month are traced to historian and authorCarter G. Woodson, who later initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926.
In 1976, Black History Month was officially recognized by the federal government, led by President Gerald Ford.
In 1986 Congress passed Public Law 99-244 which designated February 1986 as "National Black (Afro-American) History Month."
In February 1996, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 229 commemorating Black History Month and the contributions of African American US Senators.
