February 2008 is Black History Month
Black History month is an annual event that has been observed since
1926. Dr. Carter G. Woodson organized the first "Negro
History Week" that has since evolved into the Black
History Month celebration that we know today.
Woodson chose February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, as well as the anniversary of the founding of the NAACP. In 1915, Dr. Woodson founded the Association
for the Study of African-American Life and History. Each February,
the Association proposes a theme to guide the celebration
of National African American History Month. For 2008 the association has chosen "Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism."
Community Events
For information about Black History Month events in Anchorage, please check the city’s multi-cultural calendar at www.muni.org/diversity or call 907-343-4878.
Cable channel 14
ASD's cable Channel 14 is running the following programs in February:
Martin Luther King: From Montgomery to Memphis
Comprised of archival footage of Dr. King's career from 1955 to 1968. This version is a pure video diary of King's speeches and marches. It contains amazingly powerful footage of the nonviolent protests and the final moments of King's life.
Nick News - Episode 158
A profile of Martin Luther King Jr., a look at a 14-year-old boy who spoke at the Million Man March, the story of Ruby Bridges, and a visit to the Ebenezer Baptist Church. Begins airing Feb. 13
Nick News - Do We Need Black History Month?
Explores the origins of Black History Month, how African American history is taught, and whether it is appropriate to teach history in terms of race.
The Road to Brown
This documentary, an excellent look into one of the most paramount Supreme Court decisions in American history, explores the events leading up to Brown vs. Board of Education, especially highlighting the work of Charles H. Houston.
The Rosa Parks Story
America, 1955. Her act of courage changed the world. The story of the civil rights heroine whose refusal to obey racial bus segregation was just one of her acts in her fight for justice.
Reading Lists
Log onto WebCat, the district's library catalog to get reading
lists on the topics below. Click
here to log in, then type ASD in the user ID box and click login. Once
you are logged in, look for the "Have you Read?" button at the top of the page.
- African American Children's and Young Adult's Authors
- American Historical Fiction
- Carter G. Woodson Awards
- Coretta Scott King Award books
- Many Peoples, One Land
- African American Fiction
- African American Oral Traditions
- African American Poetry
On the Web
This list was developed to provide a starting
place for learning more about Black History Month.
It is in no way intended to be an exhaustive list
and the contents of these Web sites are not
specifically endorsed by the Anchorage School District. Links outside
ASD will open in a new window. 
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About.com
Black History Month celebrates the contributions made to the world by those
of African descent. Explore the issues, events, and people that made a
difference.
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Biography.com
Biographies of great African Americans
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Encyclopaedia
Britannica Guide to Black History
Features
600 informative articles and is illustrated
with historical film clips and audio recordings,
as well as hundreds of photographs
and other images. The Related Internet Links
and Bibliography sections provide excellent source
material and areas for further study, as
does the Study Guide for Students.
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History Channel
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InfoPlease
InfoPlease has compiled a wide variety of resources: history and timelines, contemporary
issues, special features, holidays, education, awards and firsts, quizzes and
crosswords and other resources.
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Library
of Congress
The African American Mosaic: A resource
guide for study of black history and culture
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The New York Public Library
The African-American Migration Experience
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Thomson
Gale
Thomson Gale has assembled a collection
of activities and information to complement
classroom topics. Includes biographies,
quiz, timeline, activities, literature
and a Black History Month calendar for
February.
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