Black History Month in the USA

By:Masiel Veras

A Brief History• The first people of color to set foot in

the Americas were African slaves brought over by British colonists in 17th and 18th century. The Americans fought against the British and gained their independence in 1776. With the rise in cotton production in the south and its main source of economic fuel, there was a large concentration of slaves in the south.

A brief history continued• The American Civil War (1861-1865) occurred as the tension between

northern American States and Southern states. They disagreed on labor, slavery and other issues. The Civil War brought on important changes such as the Emancipation Proclamation and Civil Rights Act of 1866 which led to three important laws:

1. 13th amendment (1865)2. 14th amendment (1868)3. 15th amendment (1870)

Segregation in the deep south● Civil Rights Movement

(1954-1968)● Brown vs. BOE 1954● President Lyndon B.

Johnson and suffrage

So, Why do we celebrate Black history month?● Black history month is

celebrated every February● Coincides with Abraham

Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass’ birthday

● 1926 “Negro History Week” by Carter G Woodson

● 1976 President Ford● 1987 In the UK● 1995 In canada

ActivityIn groups of three, read the information given to you and prepare a 2-3 minute presentation about the person you read about. Answer the following questions:1. Who was the person?2. Where was/is he/she from?3. What was/is their profession?4. Do you believe that they should continue to be

honored during black history month? Why? Why not?

5. Why is this person famous?

Harriet Tubman

The Underground Railroad

Frederick Douglas

Booker T. Washington

George Washington Carver

Jackie Robinson

Rosa Parks

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Barack Obama

Who do you celebrate in Spain?