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Topic: Black History Month — Overview

This guide provides an overview of library and archival resources for Black History Month at the UConn Library.

Overview

101st Airborne at Little Rock Central High SchoolThe 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.

 

Photo caption: The Little Rock Nine being escorted by the U.S. Army at Central High. (Photo: U.S. Army Wikimedia Commons)

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.

2023 Theme:

The Association for the Study of African American Life & History declared the 2023 theme for Black History as "Black Resistance https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/

UConn Resources