100 years of Black History MonthBlack history has always had to fight to be remembered. In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson created "Negro History Week" to combat the widespread belief that Black people had no history worth studying. The concept took hold — and in 1976, President Gerald Ford expanded it to a full month, calling on the public to honor the "too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans." Nearly 100 years later, the fight continues. With recent efforts to scrub Black history from national parks, school libraries, and federal databases, the stakes feel especially high — including the recent removal of a slavery exhibit at Philadelphia's Independence Mall, where plaques about George Washington's enslaved workers left empty spaces on the walls. As of this week, a federal judge ordered the exhibit restored, and workers are back on site rehanging the panels — a small but meaningful win. In that spirit, we're sharing two practical, interactive resources: BlackPast.org, a comprehensive archive that surfaces stories many of us were never taught, and the U.S. Civil Rights Trail's interactive map, where you can explore landmark sites across the country and build your own educational itinerary.
Black history is an integral component of American history and an important part of our national identity and collective culture. When we invest in understanding where we've been, with intention and honesty, we're better equipped to build the more equitable world we want to live in.
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