Black History Month is the month of February and believed to be chosen in recognition of Abraham Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass’s birthdays, both instrumental in civil rights.
Black History Facts for Kids to Celebrate Black History Month
These Black History facts highlight Black heroes and their countless contributions and achievements throughout history. Learning about Black history helps us understand the struggles and triumphs of the past and inspires us to work towards a more just and inclusive future.
Share these Black History Facts for kids with your family, students, friends, and network.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman is known as the “Moses of her people.” Harriet Tubman was a courageous woman who escaped slavery and then returned to help others find freedom through the Underground Railroad.
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, paving the way for other Black athletes.
Barack Obama
Obama made history by becoming the first African American to hold the office of President of the United States. President Obama’s time as President was marked by his efforts to promote diplomacy, improve America’s image abroad, and advance social justice initiatives. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks is often called the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” because she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. However, Claudette Colvin was actually arrested nine months earlier for refusing to give up her seat for white passengers. She and 3 other women are listed as the plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, the case that ultimately overturned bus segregation in Alabama.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A leader in the American civil rights movement, Dr. King advocated for nonviolent protest and equality for all. His famous “I Have a Dream” speech is remembered worldwide.
We honor him in January with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Shirley Chisholm
In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York’s 12th congressional district.
Mae Jemison
Mae Jamison became the first African American woman to travel in space when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.
George Washington Carver
A scientist and inventor, George Washington Carver developed hundreds of products using peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans, helping farmers improve their soil and crop yields.
At just six years old, Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to integrate a white Southern elementary school in New Orleans in 1960. She attended William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. During her first day at the school, Ruby was escorted by federal marshals due to violent protests against desegregation. Despite facing racism, threats, and hostility from some members of the community, Ruby continued attending the school, supported by her family and a few sympathetic teachers.
Nelson Mandela became the country’s first Black head of state and worked tirelessly for equality and reconciliation. He was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and political leader.
Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole, a legendary musician, was the first Black American to host a nationally televised variety show, “The Nat King Cole Show,” which premiered on NBC in 1956.
This was a groundbreaking achievement at a time when racial segregation was still prevalent in many parts of the United States. Despite facing significant challenges and resistance from advertisers and some stations, Cole’s show paved the way for greater representation of Black entertainers on television. His talent, charisma, and trailblazing efforts helped to break down barriers and open doors for future generations of Black performers.
Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license in 1921, overcoming racial and gender barriers to pursue her dream of flying.
Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was the first African American to serve on the United States Supreme Court, where he fought for civil rights and equality under the law. He won 29 of the 32 civil rights cases he argued before the Supreme Court, culminating in the Court’s landmark 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education.
Hattie McDaniel
Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Academy Award. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in the 1939 film “Gone with the Wind.” McDaniel’s win was a historic moment in Hollywood. She opened doors for future generations of Black actors and actresses.