Established as a week-long celebration in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month (the observation was extended to a month in 1976) celebrates the achievements and contributions of African Americans. In recognition of Black History Month, I selected 30 books for a special display, which is located to the right of the circulation desk across from the new fiction. Limiting the display to 30 books was a challenge; we have numeruos books about various facets of black history and culture. I listed a few more below.

Freedom's Children and We Shall Not Be Moved
The first book covers the period between Emancipation and the Great Migration, when African Americans left the south in great numbers. The second book takes the reader from the Great Migration to the Million Man March. These books are fascinating not only because of the subject matter, but also because they are interactive. Both have pockets and inserts that contain replicas of primary source documents, such as pamphlets, flyers, letters, and newspaper articles. You can see the items that historians use to write history.

Remembering Slavery
One of the WPA projects of the 1930s sent writers throughout the United States to interview former slaves. Remembering Slavery includes transcripts of the interviews as well as information about slavery. Packaged with the book are digitally remastered sound recordings of the interviews. This resource allows you to learn about slavery from people who lived it.

Exploring Black America: A History and Guide
Admittedly, this book, published in 1975, is a bit dated. However, if you are looking for museums, monuments, and historic sites pertaining to black history, this book will point you in the right direction.

The Coming Free
I did not stock the display or the blog with books about the Civil Rights Movement because I want to highlight other aspects of black history. But, The Coming Free is worth a look. Published in 2005, this attractive volume includes events, short bios on key figures in African American history and the Civil Rights Movement, and beautiful photographs.

American Daughter
American Daughter is the autobiography of Era Bell Thompson, a former editor of Ebony magazine who grew up in North Dakota in the early twentieth century. With few black families in the state, her experience as an African American differs from those who lived in areas with a large black population. Thompson did not have the support of a black community when she encountered prejudice and, culturally, lived in a different world.

The Adventures of Amos 'N' Andy: A Social History of an American Phenomenon
Although many people dismiss it, popular culture is an important part of history. It provides insight into the way people thought and lived in the past and helps us understand the perception of social issues. This book covers the popular 30s radio show Amos 'n' Andy, in which white actors portrayed black characters. This phenomenon was neither new nor restricted to radio, as minstrel shows often included entertainers who appeared on stage in blackface. The reactions of both black and white listeners of the show--and those reactions varied greatly--offer a commentary on the issue of race in America at the time.

Of course, this list is not exhaustive. If you have an interest in history and would like to learn about the experiences of African-Americans from colonial days to the present, now is the perfect time to read about black history. To find even more books, do a subject browse for African Americans. You will find pages of subdivisions, so you can pinpoint your particular interest.