Brown v. Board of Education Ruling (2:32)
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. A commentary on the ruling explores the differing theories on integration at the time.
Speeches & Audio (6)
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Brown v. Board of Education Ruling
Brown v. Board of Education RulingAudio Clip (2:32)
Audio Clip (2:32)
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. A commentary on the ruling explores the differing theories on integration at the time.
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H. Rap Brown on the African-American Community
H. Rap Brown on the African-American CommunityAudio Clip (0:31)
Audio Clip (0:31)
H. Rap Brown, the 1960s leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), speaks about the state of the African-American community as a whole.
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African-Americans Vote in South Carolina
African-Americans Vote in South CarolinaAudio Clip (1:28)
Audio Clip (1:28)
A report from Charleston, South Carolina, describes heavy voter turnout at the state's primary election on August 10, 1948. For the first time since the Reconstruction era, African-Americans were permitted to vote in a Democratic primary, after a federal judge ruled their exclusion unconstitutional.
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Lyndon Johnson Signs Civil Rights Act of 1964
Lyndon Johnson Signs Civil Rights Act of 1964Audio Clip (3:44)
Audio Clip (3:44)
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, prohibited racial discrimination in employment and education, and outlawed segregation in public facilities.
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Jackie Robinson on Racial Taunts
Jackie Robinson on Racial TauntsAudio Clip (0:52)
Audio Clip (0:52)
The first African-American to play major league baseball, Jackie Robinson describes his experience in the first few games of the 1947 season, when he was subjected to vicious epithets from other teams and spectators.
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Orval Faubus Blocks Little Rock High School Integration
Orval Faubus Blocks Little Rock High School IntegrationAudio Clip (0:27)
Audio Clip (0:27)
On September 2, 1957, Governor Orval Faubus called out the Arkansas National Guard to prevent a group of African-American students, who later became known as the Little Rock Nine, from entering the all-white Central High School. In a broadcast that evening, Faubus defends his decision to call in the state's National Guard.
Videos (23)
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Jackie Robinson Breaks Barriers
Jackie Robinson Breaks BarriersVideo Clip (3:06)
Video Clip (3:06)
Jackie Robinson's accomplishments on and off the field opens doors for all African Americans.
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King Leads the March on Washington
King Leads the March on WashingtonVideo Clip (3:10)
Video Clip (3:10)
On August 28, 1963, a quarter million people gather to support civil rights, and share Dr. King's "dream" of equality.
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Separate But Not Equal
Separate But Not EqualVideo Clip (2:21)
Video Clip (2:21)
In 1954, the Supreme Court unanimously strikes down segregation in public schools, sparking the Civil Rights movement.
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Meet Madam CJ Walker
Meet Madam CJ WalkerVideo Clip (1:49)
Video Clip (1:49)
From her rough beginnings as an orphan, Madam CJ Walker went on to corner the market in black women's hair care and became the first self-made female millionaire.
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The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem RenaissanceVideo Clip (2:53)
Video Clip (2:53)
As African Americans flocked to Northern cities in the 1920s, they created a new social and cultural landscape.
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Origins of Black History Month
Origins of Black History MonthVideo Clip (2:20)
Video Clip (2:20)
A brief look at the history of African Americans and Black History Month.
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Blacks in the Military
Blacks in the MilitaryVideo Clip (3:12)
Video Clip (3:12)
Learn how blacks serving in WWII helped forward the Civil Rights Movement.
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Civil Rights Act of 1964
Civil Rights Act of 1964Video Clip (2:57)
Video Clip (2:57)
After years of struggle and setbacks, advocates for equality celebrate the passage of sweeping legislation that prohibits racial discrimination.
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Inaugural Address: Barack H. Obama
Inaugural Address: Barack H. ObamaVideo Clip (3:22)
Video Clip (3:22)
An excerpt from Barack H. Obama's inaugural address on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
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Election 2008: Barack Obama
Election 2008: Barack ObamaVideo Clip (2:21)
Video Clip (2:21)
A look at Barack Obama's presidential campaign and historic win in the 2008 general election
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Barbara Jordan's Keynote Address
Barbara Jordan's Keynote AddressVideo Clip (2:12)
Video Clip (2:12)
An excerpt from Barbara Jordan's keynote speech at the Democratic National Convection. Jordan was the first African-American woman ever elected to Congress from a southern state.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. DayVideo Clip (2:30)
Video Clip (2:30)
A look at the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
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Condoleeza Rice Remembers MLK
Condoleeza Rice Remembers MLKVideo Clip (1:42)
Video Clip (1:42)
Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice recalls her memories of Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Little Rock Nine
Little Rock NineVideo Clip (1:51)
Video Clip (1:51)
Silent footage of members of the 101st U.S. Airborne Division escorting the Little Rock Nine into Central High School on September 25, 1957.
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Malcolm X
Malcolm XVideo Clip (1:42)
Video Clip (1:42)
Malcolm X speaks to reporters about the Black Nationalist Movement and the need to establish Black Rifle Clubs.
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Massachusetts 54th Regiment
Massachusetts 54th RegimentVideo Clip (2:48)
Video Clip (2:48)
The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment was one of the first official black units in the U.S. armed forces. Their courageous assault on Fort Wagner played a key role in bringing about an end to slavery.
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BB King: Growing Up in Mississippi
BB King: Growing Up in MississippiVideo Clip (2:30)
Video Clip (2:30)
In this American History video, brought to you by the History Channel, musician BB King talks about growing up in a poor and segregated Mississippi. He then goes on to talk about how much the state has changed.
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Forest Whitaker: Growing Up with Dr. King
Forest Whitaker: Growing Up with Dr. KingVideo Clip (1:12)
Video Clip (1:12)
Actor Forest Whitaker reflects on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Bill Clinton on Martin Luther King Jr.
Bill Clinton on Martin Luther King Jr.Video Clip (1:44)
Video Clip (1:44)
Bill Clinton speaks on his memories of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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Jesse Jackson: Aftermath of King Assassination
Jesse Jackson: Aftermath of King AssassinationVideo Clip (1:38)
Video Clip (1:38)
In this History Channel video clip, we see an interview with Jesse Jackson. See how emotional it still is for Jackson, to sit down and talk about Martin Luther King and how he was killed right next to him some years ago.
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Martin Luther King III on his Father
Martin Luther King III on his FatherVideo Clip (1:26)
Video Clip (1:26)
Martin Luther King III remembers his father's love of all people and transformative effects on the world.
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Doxie Whitfield's Personal Story of Integration
Doxie Whitfield's Personal Story of IntegrationVideo Clip (2:52)
Video Clip (2:52)
Doxie Whitfield was a nurse in Atlanta in 1963 when the hospital floors were desegregated.
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Integration at Ole Miss
Integration at Ole MissVideo Clip (2:03)
Video Clip (2:03)
Newsreel footage of President Kennedy's address to the American people after the University of Alabama riots in 1962.
Photo Galleries (11)
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Barack Obama
Barack Obama(18 Photos)
18 Photos
The 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama was elected in 2008 and is the first African American to hold the office.
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Integration of Central High School
Integration of Central High School(9 Photos)
9 Photos
In 1957 nine black students enrolled at the formerly all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
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Black Women in Politics
Black Women in Politics(10 Photos)
10 Photos
View images of famous female African American politicians and activists.
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Black Women Authors
Black Women Authors(11 Photos)
11 Photos
View images of famous female African American authors.
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Black Women Musicians
Black Women Musicians(20 Photos)
20 Photos
View images of famous female African American singers and musicians.
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Black Women Athletes
Black Women Athletes(16 Photos)
16 Photos
View images of famous female African American athletes.
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March on Washington
March on Washington(9 Photos)
9 Photos
See pictures from the famous March on Washington.
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Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr.(16 Photos)
16 Photos
See pictures from the life of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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Slave Life
Slave Life(9 Photos)
9 Photos
View pictures of North American slave life during the 18th and 19th centuries, featuring pictures of slaves themselves and the environments in which they worked and lived.
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The Battle Over Slavery
The Battle Over Slavery(12 Photos)
12 Photos
Explore images of abolitionists, the Underground Railroad and much more as you learn about the battle over slavery in the United States.
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The Slave Trade
The Slave Trade(10 Photos)
10 Photos
Explore images of the Atlantic and African Slave Trades, from holding cells in Africa to auction houses in Atlanta.
Interactives (1)
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Black History Timeline
Black History TimelineInteractive
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