Celebrate Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. The event was 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. The Black History Month 2018 theme, “African Americans in Times of War,” marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and honors the roles that black Americans have played in warfare, from the American Revolution to the present day.

The African-American Soldier: From Crispus Attucks to Colin Powell By Lanning, Michael Lee 2004-05 – Citadel Press 9780806526294 Check Our Catalog“The African-American Soldier” portrays the struggles of the courageous men and women who secured the right of black Americans to fight for their country–a country that provided them with nearly two centuries of discrimination. This account of the road to racial equality in the military tracks progress and setbacks as well as dramatic firsts for African Americans. Photos. …More

Soldiers of Freedom: An Illustrated History of African Americans in the Armed Forces By Wright, Kai 2002-09 – Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers 9781579122539 Check Our CatalogSpanning from the American Revolution to the war in Afghanistan, this long-overdue, comprehensive history covers the full scope of African Americans’ involvement in the armed forces during war and peacetime. Accompanying the informative text are 300 photographs and illustrations. …More

Like Men of War: Black Troops in the Civil War 1862-1865 By Trudeau, Noah Andre 1998-02 – Little Brown and Company 9780316853255 Check Our CatalogAn award-winning Civil War historian offers the first comprehensive military history of black soldiers during that conflict, focusing on the more than 175,000 African-American soldiers in the Union Army who fought in more than 400 battles. …More

Brothers in Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII’s Forgotten Heroes By Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem Author Walton, Anthony 2005-05 – Broadway Books 9780767909136 Check Our CatalogA powerful wartime saga in the bestselling tradition of “Flags of Our Fathers, Brothers in Arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st Tank Battalion, the first all-black armored unit to see combat in World War II. …More

Black Soldiers in Blue: African American Troops in the Civil War Era By Smith, John David 2004-08 – University of North Carolina Press 9780807855799 Check Our CatalogFourteen original essays reveal the varied contributions of the African American soldiers who fought for the Union cause during the Civil War. There were around 179,000 black soldiers; close to 70,000 of them died during the war. The book includes analyses of the major battles and engagements in which African American soldiers fought and discusses the U.S. Colored Cavalry, the recruitment of black …More

Defenders of Liberty: African Americans in the Revolutionary War By Lanning, Michael Lee 2000-10 – Citadel Press 9781559725132 Check Our CatalogA noted military historian and author of “The African-American Soldier” reveals the critical and heroic role African Americans played in the American Revolution, the last war to use integrated units until the Korean Conflict. of illustrations. …More

Black Knights: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen By Homan, Lynn M. Author Reilly, Thomas 2001-01 – Pelican Publishing Company 9781565548282 Check Our CatalogWhat became known as the Tuskegee Experience began in 1931 with a letter from the head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to the War Department asking that blacks be allowed to join the military. The efforts of early African American aviators, the struggle of organizations and individuals against the military’s segregation policies, and the hard work of thousands of …More

The Lost Eleven: The Forgotten Story of Black American Soldiers Brutally Massacred in World War II By George, Denise Author Child, Robert 2017-01 – Dutton Caliber 9781101987391 Check Our CatalogNearly forgotten by history, this is the story of the Wereth Eleven, African-American soldiers who fought courageously for freedom in WWII–only to be ruthlessly executed by Nazi troops during the Battle of the Bulge. Their story was almost forgotten by history. Now known as the Wereth Eleven, these brave African-American soldiers left their homes to join the …More

Fighting for America: Black Soldiers–The Unsung Heroes of World War II By Moore, Christopher 2004-12 – One World 9780345459602 Check Our CatalogAwards: Black Caucus of the American Library Association Literary_award (2006) A BookPage Notable Title In this powerful tribute, Christopher Moore looks at African-American military service during World War II and at the paradox of their patriotism in what was still a racist society. Includes letters, photos, illustrations, and rare documents throughout. …More

Red-Tail Angels: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II By McKissack, Patricia C. Joint Author McKissack, Fredrick, Jr. 1996-01 – Walker & Company 9780802782922 Check Our CatalogCCBC Choices – 1995 — Carter G. Woodson Book Award (Merit Book) — ALA Best Book for Young Adults — IRA-CBC Teachers’ Choice — Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies — “This history of America’s first black military aviators is carefully researched and finely crafted. (Written with) an emotional intensity that …More

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