Black History Month began nearly a century ago as “Negro History Week.” It started as a large celebration of the ratification of the 13th Amendment which emancipated the former slaves. It was Carter G. Woodson who was inspired to promote the achievements that researchers were discovering, which gave birth to the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Today, this organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. In 1926, Negro History Week took place in the second week of February. The date was chosen to take advantage of the ongoing celebrations of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays. Woodson desired to transform the celebrations to celebrate the countless contributions that African American men and women made to the advancement of human civilization. President Ford provided political backing in 1975 urging all Americans to recognize the important contribution made to American life and culture by black citizens. In 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99-244 which designated February National Black History Month. The law also directed the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe February as Black History Month with the appropriate ceremonies and activities.  In 1996, President Clinton issued Presidential Proclamation 6863 for National African American History Month which then further emphasized the achievements of black women in history. Each year following, Presidents have issued proclamations in celebration of the achievements of African American people. Black History Month continues to be celebrated as a staple of how African Americans have contributed and continue to the advancement of humanity.

1847
David Jones Peck is the first African American to graduate from a US medical school (Rush Medical School, Chicago).

1864
Rebecca Lee is the first African American woman to graduate from a US medical school (New England Female Medical College, Boston).

1865
Alexander T. Augusta becomes the first African American to direct a US hospital (Freedmen’s Hospital, Savannah).

1872
Solomon Carter Fuller is the first Black American psychiatrist and a pioneer in understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, studying under Alois Alzheimer.  He became an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis and trained doctors with his knowledge. 

1873
Susan Smith McKinney becomes the first black woman to be certified as a physician.

1891
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams founds Provident Hospital in Chicago.

1893
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams performs the first successful open-heart surgery.

1903
Ruth Ella Moore Made significant contributions to understanding infectious diseases.  Her work was monumental in helping to find a cure for tuberculous. 

1914
Dr. Charles Henry Turner demonstrates for the very first time that insects can hear sounds.

1939
Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston is a pediatrician who became the first Black woman to direct a Public Health Service Bureau and whose groundbreaking research on sickle cell disease resulted in nationwide screening programs for children at birth.

1941
Dr. Charles Drew is named director of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank and assistant director of blood procurement for the National Research Council.

1942
Patricia Bath a pioneer in the treatment of blindness.  In 1988, Bath became the first African American woman physician to receive a medical patent with her Laserphaco Probe, which improved cataract treatment.

1944
Dr. Vivien Theodore Thomas helped devise the “blue baby surgery” to correct congenital heart defect known as tetralogy of Fallot. 

1956
Dr. Mae C. Jemison is known as the first Black female astronaut and the first Black American woman in space.  In June of 1987, she became the first African American woman to be admitted into the NASA astronaut training program.  Has made substantial contributions to the aero science field.

1964
Otis Boykin invents control unit for the heart pacemaker

1968
American Medical Association first expresses need to increase number of African American physicians

1981
Dr. Alexa Irene Candady first female African American neurosurgeon in the United States.  Her research in children includes studies on the effects of hydrocephalus. 

1986
US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health was created.

1987
Dr. Ben Carson leads the first successful team to successfully separate Siamese twins at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

1994
Lonnie Bristow is elected the first African American President of the American Medical Association.

2019
Kizzemekia S. Corbett one of the leading Scientists to develop the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.

BOOKS

The Water Dancer
by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Between the World and Me
by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Book of Lost Friends
by Lisa Wingate

The Help
by Kathryn Stockett

Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary
by Juan Williams

Giants: The Parallel Lives of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln
by John Stauffer

MOVIES

Loving

Rosewood

The Butler

Harriet

Best of Enemies

Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker

Hidden Figures

Glory

Remember the Titans

Selma