February is African American History Month
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.
Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty
The Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence and called slavery an “abominable crime,” yet he was a lifelong slaveholder. The exhibition will provide a look at the lives of six slave families living at Monticello alongside Jefferson and his family.
The Spirit of Tuskegee
A restored PT-13 Stearman biplane, like those on which the Tuskegee Airmen trained, will become part of the permanent collection at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Christened The Spirit of Tuskegee, you can watch its progress as the aircraft is flown cross country to Washington, DC.
Photos of the Harlem Renaissance
The Carl Van Vechten Photographs Collection at the Library of Congress consists of 1,395 photographs taken by American photographer Carl Van Vechten between 1932 and 1964. The bulk of the collection consists of portrait photographs of celebrities, including many figures from the Harlem Renaissance.
Veterans History
African Americans serving in the military service throughout U.S. history have often fought on two fronts: fighting the actual enemy and fighting a system of segregation and exclusion.
Veterans History Project (Library of Congress)
The Tuskegee Airmen (National Park Service)
For Teachers
Put the power of primary sources to work in the classroom. Browse ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids.
2012 Theme
Event Hightlights
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February 1
Literary Birthday Celebration: Langston Hughes
Poets Delores Kendrick and Evie Shockley celebrate the birthday of American poet Langston Hughes
(Library of Congress) -
February 4
Black History Month Family Day
Join us for a day of music, dance, a special tour of the related exhibition, and hands-on activities.
(Smithsonian Institution: American Art Museum, Portrait Gallery) -
February 12
The Collecting of African American Art VII
David C. Driskell, artist, collector and emeritus professor of art history, University of
Maryland at College Park; in conversation with Ruth Fine, consulting curator of special
projects in modern art.
(National Gallery of Art) -
February 22
The Golden Thirteen: Recollections of the First Black Naval Officers
Former director of the Naval Institute’s History division Paul Stillwell will discuss the experiences of these officers as well as the life of the U.S. Navy’s first black admiral. Book signing to follow.
(National Archives) -
March 4
Lecture and Book Signing
Bridget R. Cooks, associate professor of art history and African American studies, University of California, Irvine. Book signing of Exhibiting Blackness: African Americans and the American Art Museum follows.
(National Gallery of Art)