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In the documented history of Birmingham, Alabama's pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, a few names stand out - mainly the names of people who committed racial atrocities in 1963 or of people who led the marches that filled the jail cells and helped turn the nation around.

But there are thousands of other names, those of the people who were young enough to be in school yet old enough to recognize that we were witnesses to historic events.

Kids in Birmingham 1963 offers a rich collection of first-person accounts by people who were children or youth in Birmingham in 1963. [Description from website.]

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Kids in Birmingham 1963 " Zinn Education Project

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In the documented history of Birmingham, Alabama's pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, a few names stand out - mainly the names of people who committed racial atrocities in 1963 or of people who led the marches that filled the jail cells and helped turn the nation around.

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national association for the advancement of colored people

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Civil Rights Movement Veterans - CORE, NAACP, SCLC, SNCC

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Civil Rights Movement history, personal stories, discussions & analysis, commentaries, and contact information by and for veterans of the Southern Freedom Movement (CORE, NAACP, SCLC, SNCC, and similar organizations)

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he exhibition The African American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship, showcases the incomparable African American collections of the Library of Congress. Displaying more than 240 items, including books, government documents, manuscripts, maps, musical scores, plays, films, and recordings, this is the largest black history exhibit ever held at the Library, and the first exhibition of any kind to feature presentations in all three of the Library's buildings.

The major presentation in the Jefferson Building, The African American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship, explores black America's quest for equality from the early national period through the twentieth century. The Library's materials, gathered over the two hundred years of its existence, tell the story of the African American experience through nine chronological periods that document the courage and determination of blacks, faced with adverse circumstances, who overcame immense odds to fully participate in all aspects of American society. The exhibit includes the work of abolitionists in the first half of the nineteenth century, depictions of the long journey following the Civil War towards equality in employment, education and politics, strategies used to secure the vote, recognition of outstanding black leaders, and the contributions of sports figures, black soldiers, artists, actors, writers and others in the fight against segregation and discrimination.

The items in this exhibit attest to the drama and achievement of this remarkable story. Although they give a comprehensive, rich picture of more than 200 years of African American struggle and achievement, they represent only a rivulet of the collections the Library of Congress holds in this essential part of American history.

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African American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship

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he exhibition The African American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship, showcases the incomparable African American collections of the Library of Congress. Displaying more than 240 items, including books, government documents, manuscripts, maps, musical scores, plays, films, and recordings, this is the largest black history exhibit ever held at the Library, and the first exhibition of any kind to feature presentations in all three of the Library's buildings.

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Teach about Black History Month with these timely resources, sure to pique young learners' interest. They'll get an idea of what it was like to live during the birth of the Civil Rights movement. And they'll meet revolutionary figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Jackie Robinson, as well as their lesser-known contemporaries who pioneered civil rights and became icons in African American history.

Our unit on the Civil Rights movement introduces kids to the protests, violence, and political upheaval that marked this period and continue to be relevant today. Topics include Defining Civil Rights, The Rise of Segregation, Heroes of the Movement, and more.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed positive words and nonviolent actions could change the world. He preached love and inspired millions of people all across the country, and the world. Learn about King's life and vision in our Unit here.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks had endured prejudice, bigotry, and injustice all her life. She knew this was unfair, and was determined to make a change. Learn about Parks' early experiences and demonstrations with our Topics Living in a World of Segregation and The Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Jackie Robinson made history on April 15, 1947. That day, he became the first African American to play major league baseball in the twentieth century. Learn about the the groundbreaking life of the baseball hero here.
Postwar Change and Growth
Check out our new unit on Postwar Change and Growth, which highlights some of the moments in American history leading up to the civil rights movement. Students will learn about notable figures such as Booker T. Washington, Senator Hiram R. Revels, Representative Joseph Rainey, and more.

If you prefer Print Titles in your classroom, order our issues on Civil Rights, Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, and Postwar Change and Growth issues for Black History Month. Each issue includes 20 pages of glossy images and engaging nonfiction, and free Teacher Guides and Vocabulary Packs are available on our site.

"Stagecoach Mary" Fields was the first African American woman hired by the U.S. Postal Service. She won the job in 1895, at age 60, by being the fastest to hitch up a six-horse wagon team. Six feet tall and tough, Mary carried mail in Cascade, Montana, for almost a decade.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily fun facts and teaching inspiration for Black History Month.

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Teach about Black History Month with these timely resources, sure to pique young learners' interest. They'll get an idea of what it was like to live during the birth of the Civil Rights movement.

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Loosely defined, African Americans are people whose ancestral heritage is tied to Africa as well as America. Despite the fact that African Americans have been suppressed in every possible way for many centuries, they have a rich culture and history. A lot of famous African Americans have made their mark in diverse fields such as music, sports, movies, theatre and world politics. Slavery was rife in the 18th and 19th centuries and black people were treated as nothing more than mere possessions.

Although in the 20th century slavery was officially outlawed, the unjust treatment of African Americans was far from over. With the advancement of the Civil Rights Movement, led by leaders such as well-known African Americans like Martin Luther King Jr., Booker T. Washington and Rosa Parks, the Civil Rights Act was adopted in 1964. Many Southern States continued to treat blacks as second class citizens by adopting the "Jim Crow" laws which required blacks to eat at separate restaurants, study at separate schools and use separate transportation. This mindset took a long time to change, and it was only by the end of the 20th century that African Americans began to gain an equal footing in society.

One of the fields that famous African Americans have contributed to the most is sports. From famous boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, to the tennis duo Venus and Serena Williams, golf legend Tiger Woods, baseball players such as Jackie Robinson, endless list of NBA players such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant - the list goes on and on. In the music industry too, African Americans have dominated the scene. Artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Missy Elliott, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King and numerous others showcase a range of talent that is both diverse and impressive.

Notable African American actors, in both movies and theatre have made their mark as well. World renowned actors and directors such as Martin Lawrence, Morgan Freeman, Spike Lee, Sidney Poitier, Laurence Fishburne and Denzel Washington are paid millions of dollars for their work. One of the top entertainers today is Oprah Winfrey, who came from extremely humble beginnings, but is now an inspiration for millions of women worldwide and owns a multi-billion dollar television network. African Americans are also active in the field of literary activism and politics. Renowned poets and writers such as Maya Angelou and Zora Neale Hurst are foremost names that come to mind. The current president of the United States, Barrack Obama is also African American, as well as the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.

Today African American cultural influence is pervasive, with their representation in media, sports, entertainment, politics and society being on the rise. However, because of centuries of under representation, they still lag behind culturally and socially in many aspects of society.

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Famous African Americans - Black People Biographies and History

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Loosely defined, African Americans are people whose ancestral heritage is tied to Africa as well as America. Despite the fact that African Americans have been suppressed in every possible way for many centuries, they have a rich culture and history.

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Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of "Negro History Week," the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

Origins of Black History Month

The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

That September, the Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent.
READ MORE: The Man Behind Black History Month
Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the group sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures.

Did you know? The NAACP was founded on February 12, 1909, the centennial anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.

In the decades that followed, mayors of cities across the country began issuing yearly proclamations recognizing Negro History Week. By the late 1960s, thanks in part to the civil rights movement and a growing awareness of Black identity, Negro History Week had evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses.

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."
WATCH: 10 Things You Don't Know About: Civil Rights on HISTORY Vault
Black History Month 2021 Theme

Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme.

The Black History Month 2021 theme, "Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity" explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the United States.
READ MORE: Black History Milestones
Photo Galleries

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Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of "Negro History Week," the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.

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Library of Congress Black History Collection

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Library of Congress Black History Collection

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Correspondence, speeches, writings, court records, slave records, slave deeds, emancipation and manumission papers, birth and marriage records, wills, family and genealogical papers, military records, financial records, ships’ papers, broadsides, newspaper clippings, printed matter, and other papers…

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"Explore 1963: The Struggle for Civil Rights to learn the inside story of key events in civil rights history. By examining primary source material from the Kennedy Library, you can enter into the  tumultuous year of 1963, and discover civil rights history through the words and actions of the people who lived it. As you  listen to press conferences, examine letters from civil rights leaders and US citizens of all ages, see photographs of protests and the violence that ensued, and view film footage of the peaceful March on Washington, you will witness the complexity of this historical period, including the variety of perspectives and attitudes that existed at that time."

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"The blog of the Black History Guide, sharing records relating to the African American experience at the National Archives."

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"The blog of the Black History Guide, sharing records relating to the African American experience at the National Archives."

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This Week's Special Blog Post is written by Tina L. Ligon, Textual Processing Archivist, and Christina Violeta Jones, Textual Reference Archivist.
Known as one of the largest political rallies for human rights in the United States' history, the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (MOW) is celebrating its 50 th anniversary this week. This blog highlights the various civilian and military records housed at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) that pertain to MOW and its significance in American history. For a visual overview, the series Miscellaneous Subjects, Staff and Stringer Photographs, 1961-1974 (National Archives Identifier 541992) has a good selection of photographs highlighting the organizers, civil rights leaders, entertainers, and the diverse crowd who attended the MOW. Most of these images are available in the online catalog.

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At NARA, there is an extensive amount of textual records, photographs, sound recordings, and moving images that depict the excitement surrounding the MOW. These archival materials showcased people from all backgrounds who gathered along the National Mall singing and marching for freedom, civil rights, and equality for all citizens. The select records bring to light the significance of this event on United States history and its impact on Civil Rights legislation. The sound recording March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, 08/28/1963 (National Archives Identifier 2839413) is a comprehensive audio recording of the speakers by the Educational Radio Network (WGBH) andthe film The March, 1963 (National Archives Identifier 47526) shows behind the scenes planning and organizing for the event. To view this film, click on the following links:

The March, Part 1 of 3 (1964)
The March, Part 2 of 3 (1964)
The March, Part 3 of 3 (1964)

[Added 8/23/13 - for additional information about the film visit the National Archives' Media Matters' Making the March blog]

MOW was initiated by several prominent civil rights leaders: A. Philip Randolph (Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters), James Farmer (Congress of Racial Equality), John Lewis (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), Martin Luther King, Jr. (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), Roy Wilkins (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), and Whitney Young (National Urban League). The Production Library Audio Recordings, compiled 1945-1993 (National Archives Identifier 118159) series contains sound recordings on the experiences of these leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. The items include Luncheon for A. Philip Randolph, 08/26/1963 (National Archives Identifier 123316), Interview with James Farmer, President, Congress of Racial Equality and Center for Community Action, 02/11/1966 (National Archives Identifier 126129), The Quiet Warrior Martin Luther King, 12/09/1964 (National Archives Identifier 124276), Distinguished American #6: Roy Wilkins (National Archives Identifier 128285), and Press Conference USA with Guest Whitney Young, 05/06/1967 (National Archives Identifier 128551).

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Activist Bayard Rustin was a key figure in planning the MOW. His organizational skills were instrumental in the coordination and implementation of the march. He was an advisor to Dr. King in the 1950s and 1960s, and actively involved with pacifist groups and early civil rights protests. NARA has several sound recordings of interviews with Rustin, including Focus on Bayard Rustin (National Archives Identifier 2812560), Bayard Rustin, 11/18/1967 (National Archives Identifier 129504), and Perspective #334: A Conversation with Bayard Rustin, 10/29/1969(National Archives Identifier 132969).

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On August 28, 1963, 200,000 to 300,000 individuals convened in Washington D. C. to hear civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech that advocated and called for racial harmony in the United States. NARA has the sound recording for the " I Have a Dream Speech" in the John R. Hickman Audio Collection (National Archives Identifier 1436726). Additionally, there are the Universal Newsreel Volume 36, Release 71, 08/29/1963 (National Archives Identifier 2050667) that gives a pictorial perspective of the event and the Department of Justice's Class 144 (Civil Rights) Litigation Case Files series (National Archives Identifier 603432) [case file #144-16-574] that provides background information into concerns surrounding the march.

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[Added August 28, 2013 - check out NDC Blog on "Martin Luther King, Integrationist"]

Often lost in the history of MOW are the contributions and organizational efforts of women. Entertainer Josephine Baker gave a speech during the preliminary offerings of the march and Dorothy I. Height stood among male leaders on stage when Dr. King made his "I Have a Dream" speech. Myrlie Evers was scheduled to give a tribute to "Negro Women Fighters for Freedom," but was unable to attend. Bayard Rustin gave the tribute in Evers' absence and introduced freedom fighters Daisy Bates, Diane Nash, Rosa Parks, and Gloria Richardson to the marchers. NARA holdings have several photographs of women who participated in MOW.

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The success of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was credited with helping to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

*Researchers who want to find records on the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom should start with the National Archives' Catalog database.

*Researchers should note that with DOJ and FBI case files, records must be screened for personal privacy and law enforcement information under 5 U.S.C. 552(b) prior to public release. Some documents remain classified in whole or in part. Access to some case file subjects requires a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the FBI.

Additional Resources from the John F. Kennedy Library Archives:
Public Opinion in the JFK Library Archives: Civil Rights Protests and the 1963 March on Washington

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This Week's Special Blog Post is written by Tina L. Ligon, Textual Processing Archivist, and Christina Violeta Jones, Textual Reference Archivist. Known as one of the largest political rallies for human rights in the United States' history, the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (MOW) is celebrating its 50 th anniversary this week.