Overview
The collections at the UConn Library are rich and varied for the study of African American life and history, civil rights, and beyond. This guide is intended to increase awareness of resources at the UConn Library. If you have questions, contact Phara Bayonne at the Jeremy Richards Library in Stamford.
The History of Black History Month
Black History was first celebrated in the United States as "Negro History Week," on February 12, 1926. Carter G. Woodson, a pre-eminent historian and the founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History created the week out of concern that the contributions and history of African Americans were being overlooked in the study of American history. February was selected because it included the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglas (February 14), both of whom had significant impacts on the lives of Black men and women in the United States. In 1976, the week became a month long celebration.
2025 Theme:
The Association for the Study of African American Life & History declared the 2025 theme for Black History as "African Americans and Labor" https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/
