Last updated: February 1, 2023
Article
28 Days of Black History
Black history is American history. In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson began a weeklong celebration that has since grown into an entire month dedicated to remembering the achievements, contributions, resilience, and legacies of Black Americans at a time when it was not commonly taught. In celebration of Black History Month, explore people, places, and stories from more than 400 national parks and communities across the country through National Park Service programs and partners and keep exploring African American heritage throughout the year.
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☑ Instructions
Dr. Woodson and his colleagues created tools that teachers could use in schools to teach Black history during the weeklong (now monthlong) celebration. They made lesson plans, scripts for history plays, and educational posters featuring important dates and people in history. This is a day-by-day virtual calendar to use during February or any time to learn about Black history preserved in national parks or through National Park Service programs.
Image from an NPS Video
☐ Day 1
Start at the beginning of Black History Month—with its origins. Learn about Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” and his vision when he created what is now Black History Month. Watch a video for a virtual ranger program on the origins of Black History Month. Plan a future trip to the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site in Washington, DC.
Image from an NPS Video
☐ Day 2
Watch “Twenty & Odd,” a short film that reflects on more than 400 years of Black history and heritage exploring the trauma, resilience, and beauty of the African American experience in our country through the lens and storytelling of those closest to the stories. A companion guide reveals the symbolism and context of each scene of the film.
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☐ Day 3
There are more than 400 national parks across the country of very different shapes, sizes, and reasons they were set aside to preserve for current and future generations. Explore some of the parks that were created and named in honor of African Americans and about each person's incredible achievements and contributions to our nation.
Image designed by the NPS
☐ Day 4
In honor the birthday of civil rights icon Rosa Parks on February 4, explore the African American Civil Rights Network, which connects places in parks and communities across the country to tell a more complete story of the Civil Rights Movement. Take a virtual tour map to explore these places where history was made.
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☐ Day 5
Learn about one of the newest places added to the National Park System: Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, home of leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. The tragic assassination of Medgar Evers in 1963 for his efforts to promote racial equality and social justice was one of the key catalysts for passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as the nation reacted in horror to his death.
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☐ Day 6
Celebrated as a great agricultural scientist, George Washington Carver was also a prolific essay writer and artist. Third and fourth graders can submit entries to an annual art and essay contest hosted by George Washington Carver National Monument every February focused around an annual theme. But everyone is welcome to share your own essay and art about this topic anytime on social media using @GeorgeWashingtonCarverNM, #BlackHistory, and #FindYourPark.
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☐ Day 7
Go on a virtual tour of Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Virginia. In spite of humble beginnings in post-Civil War Virginia, Walker became a prominent businesswoman and community leader who devoted her life to defeating racism, sexism, and economic oppression. She founded a bank, was a newspaper editor, and led a fraternity while also fostering entrepreneurialism in the African American community in Richmond.
Historical image courtesy of the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center
☐ Day 8
Learn about the legendary Buffalo Soldiers and one of their most distinguished leaders by taking a virtual trip to this month’s National Park Getaway Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Ohio. Download an entire exhibition to help teach their history. Make your own virtual or physical exhibit about a history topic and share it on social media using #BlackHistory and #FindYourPark.
NPS / Tom Engberg
☐ Day 9
Born in 1872, Paul Laurence Dunbar was one of the first African American poets to gain national and international recognition during his life. In honor of Dunbar, write a poem or host your own poetry slam with family and friends. Share on social media using #BlackHistory and #FindYourPark to inspire others with your words. Plan a future visit to the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site in Ohio.
NPS / Bill Shugarts
☐ Day 10
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and moved hearts and minds with his speeches and writings. Take a few minutes to read aloud some of Dr. King’s quotes immortalized on the walls of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Also listen to a park ranger share his personal reflections of hearing Dr. King deliver his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in person and how that impacted his life. Write your own speech to share what is important to you. Let us hear your voice by sharing on social media using #BlackHistory and #FindYourPark.
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☐ Day 11
Take a virtual tour through Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site in Washington, DC to meet a 20th-century leader with a very impressive resume in education and civil service. From her home near both the White House and Dr. Carter G. Woodson's home, the National Council of Negro Women spearheaded civil rights campaigns aimed at supporting African American women and created the National Archives for Black Women’s History.
NPS / Terry Adams
☐ Day 12
Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12 partially influenced the timing of Black History Month. While his history with emancipation is complex, Lincoln was historically called the “Great Emancipator” and his birthday was a traditional day of celebration in Black communities in the decades following his death. Read the Emancipation Proclamation, which Lincoln considered one of his most important actions, and reflect on this pivotal moment in US history.
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☐ Day 13
Manhattan Project National Historical Park tells the story of one of the most transformative events of the 20th century: the creation of atomic bombs. It explores the transformation the Manhattan Project had on three communities in New Mexico, Tennessee, and Washington as it took place in their neighborhoods. Download the free NPS App to tour sites in these towns to learn how the African American experience during the Cold War and involvement with the top secret project.
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☐ Day 14
Frederick Douglass’ birthday on February 14 has been a longstanding traditional day of celebration by Black communities, which also influenced the timing of Black History Month. Born into slavery in 1818, Douglass escaped his enslavement and dedicated his life to fighting for justice and equality. He is considered one of the nation's greatest orators and authors often giving speeches and writing about civil rights issues. Write a speech a about something you are passionate about changing.
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☐ Day 15
Plug in your earphones to listen to the new podcast series “The Agitators,” made in partnership with the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and PRX. It explores the enduring yet complex relationship between Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony as they both advocated for voting rights during the 19th century.
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☐ Day 16
Booker T. Washington wanted to improve higher education opportunities for African Americans in the South, so he built Tuskegee Institute, now a national historic site. As a professor at the institute, George Washington Carver wanted to improve the lives of lower income farmers, so he created innovative new farming techniques. Explore an online exhibit about Carter’s work at the Institute. What innovative way would you improve the lives of others?
Courtesy of Tommy Hailey
☐ Day 17
Follow the journey of a new park over the coming years. New Philadelphia Naitonal Historic Site in Illinois was added to the National Park System in December of 2022. New Philadelphia was the first known town planned and legally registered by an African American before the Civil War. Today, historical documents, oral histories from town descendants and community members, and artifacts keep the town's story alive. The Naitonal Park Service and our partners will develop plans to welcome visitors and share the site's history more widely.
BLM / Jason Vlcan
☐ Day 18
During the 19th century, thousands of African Americans homesteaded across the Great Plains creating communities, homes, and often a new life. As you take a closer to learn their stories captured by Homestead National Historical Park, watch a short film discussing how African Americans settled the West, hear from people conducting family research, and find records to start your own.
NPS / Aaliyah Jones
☐ Day 19
Famously known as “Red Tails,” the first African American military pilots tested their wings in the skies over Tuskegee, Alabama. The Tuskegee Airmen were initiated into the U.S. Armed Forces on February 19, 1942. Plan a future visit to Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site and tour an online exhibit to learn more about these pilots who opened doors—and the skies—to African American military pilots.
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☐ Day 20
The roots of jazz were largely nourished in the African American community but became a broader phenomenon that drew from many communities and ethnic groups in New Orleans. Check out New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park on social media to find interactive live stream concerts, recorded concerts, and interviews with musicians all month (and year) long!
NPS / Amanda Pollock
☐ Day 21
One of the most famous and successful “conductors” on the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman was dedicated to causes improving the lives of African Americans, women, and people with disabilities. Take a short video tour of where she began her journey as an American legend. Travel with Tubman to see more places around the country related to her remarkable life either in person or online.
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☐ Day 22
Five crucial court cases in the 1940s and 50s challenged racial segregation in public schools. Follow the efforts of parents, teachers, secretaries, ministers, students, and other community members pushing for equality in education at Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. Continue the journey at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, which tells the story of putting desegregation of public schools into practice.
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☐ Day 23
The African American community of Boston were leaders in the fight against slavery and racial injustice during the 18th and 19th centuries. Take a virtual trip on the Black Heritage Trail and join virtual ranger programs at Boston African American National Historic Site to learn their stories of resilience, identity, and empowerment participating in a fight for their own rights.
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☐ Day 24
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” peacefully challenged laws requiring separation of races in interstate travel by riding on buses through states together over seven months. The world reacted in shock as the these buses were viciously attacked, even firebombed. A mural of a bus is painted on a brick wall at Freedom Riders National Monument. Design a mural of history or a cause that is important to you. Share it on social media using #BlackHistory and #FindYourPark.
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☐ Day 25
Booker T. Washington went from growing up in a slave cabin to building ways for all Americans to succeed. Washington was a nationally-respected author, orator, and adviser to many US presidents. He was not satisfied with higher education options for African Americans in the late 19th century—so he built his own school now Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site. Plan a future visit to Booker T. Washington National Monument in Virginia and watch “Measure of a Man” to learn his story.
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☐ Day 26
Watch and listen to “O Nicodemus” short film to hear a community’s enduring spirit from its roots as a town created by former enslaved Americans who migrated to Kansas in 1877 to build a new life. Write or recite a poem about the pride you have for your own community and share on social media using #BlackHistory and #FindYourPark to inspire others with your words. Or recite a poem that moves you, like this rendition of "O Nicodemus".
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☐ Day 27
Follow in the footsteps of freedom at Camp Nelson National Monument, site a massive recruitment and training center for African American soldiers (United States Colored Troops) and a refugee camp for their families during the Civil War. Take a closer look at the campaigns, people, places, and stories connected to Camp Nelson's history.
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☐ Day 28
One of Dr. Woodson’s goals for an annual celebration of Black history was to recognize people’s achievements and great contributions to our nation. Make a list 28 Americans in history who inspired you. Join the conversation on social media using #BlackHistory and #FindYourPark to share your list with others.
☑ A Few More Days
Black History Month is during the shortest month of the year. Here are a few more days of suggestions to commit to learning Black history throughout the entire year in the spirit of Dr. Woodson's original vision for the celebration.
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☐ Day 29
Uncover and share your family history. There are many tools and resources available to compile and share your familiy's history through libraries, databases, and more. You can also start at home talking to family members, collecting photographs, and sharing traditions. Get started recording your own family’s oral history to help it continue to be passed to the next generations.
Courtesy of Kentucky State Historic Preservation Office
☐ Day 30
Become a historian of your own neighborhood. The National Register of Historic Places recognizes more than 95,000 historic places in communities across the entire country. Use the database like a professional historian to find places in your area or about a topic that you are interested in. If you take a walk or drive to see these place in person, just remember to be respectful as many of these places are privately owned.
NPS / Nicole Segnini
☐ Day 31
Be a Steward of Your Public Lands. Consider joining our National Park Service team through employment, volunteering, or interning in a surprisingly wide variety of career fields located in parks and offices across the country. Partnerships play a key role in welcoming visitors to parks, preserving the history, lands and living things in parks and extending the benefits of parks into communities.