Firsts
Famous Figures
February
Fun Facts
Famous words
100
In 1897, the first Black-owned newspaper was founded by Frederick Douglass and named after this guiding celestial body.
What is The North Star
100
Winning the Literature prize in 1993, she was the first Black woman to win a Nobel Prize.
Who is Toni Morrison
100
February was chosen for Black History Month because it coincides with the birthdays of these key figures in history. (name one)
Who are Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14), also the NAACP (February 12th, 1909)
100
This author of Their Eyes Were Watching God occasionally wrote under the name John Hurston in her works.
Who is Zora Neale Hurston
100
The first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress and first Black candidate for a major-party nomination for President of the United States said “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”
Who is Shirley Chisholm
200
This astronaut was the first Black woman to travel to space in 1992 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Who is Dr. Mae Jemison
200
Her cervical cancer cells are the source of the HeLa cell line, the first immortalized human cell line and one of the most important cell lines in medical research.
Who is Henrietta Lacks
200
The first Black History Month-themed Google Doodle was created in this year, featuring artwork by Black artists.
What is 2016
200
Trained in Alabama and nicknamed "The Red Tails" they were a group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II.
Who are The Tuskegee Airmen?
200
This famous athlete said “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Who is Michael Jordan
300
In 1973, this artist was the first Black artist to win a Grammy for Album of the Year for this album (bonus for both).
Who is Stevie Wonder for Innervisions
300
Duckworth is the last name of what rapper, who is known to the public by his first and middle name? It's also the title of the last song on his 2017 album.
Who is Kendrick Lamar
300
Canada also celebrates Black History Month in February, while the United Kingdom observes it during this month.
What is October
300
This modern day signaling device was invented by Garrett Morgan in 1923. He also invented a smoke hood that saved lives during fires.
What is the Traffic Light
300
This writer and civil rights activist who garnered acclaim for his essays, novels, plays, and poems said “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
Who is James Baldwin
400
No Black director has won the Academy Award for Best Director. However, two Black directors have won Best Picture. This British director for his film in 2013 and this American one in 2016. (name one)
Who is:
Steve McQueen:12 Years a Slave
Barry Jenkins: Moonlight
400
Which President first officially recognized Black History Month?
Who is President Gerald Ford
400
The theme of Black History Month changes every year. This was the theme in 2024. (bonus for this year's theme)
What is African Americans and the Arts
this year: African Americans and Labor
400
George Crum, a Black chef, is credited with inventing this popular crunchy snack in 1853 at a restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York.
What is the potato chip
400
This singer, pianist, songwriter, composer, arranger, and activist said “Did you know that the human voice is the only pure instrument? That it has notes no other instrument has? It’s like being between the keys of a piano.”
Who is Nina Simone
500
He was sworn is as the first Black U.S. senator in February of 1870, representing the state of Mississippi.
Who is Hiram Rhodes Revels
500
This voting and women's rights activist, community organizer, and leader in the civil rights movement has her tombstone inscribed with her famous quote, “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
Who is Fannie Lou Hamer
500
The first Black History Month stamp was issued by the U.S. Postal Service in 1978, featuring this person.
Who is Harriet Tubman
500
He is known as the “Father of Black History”
Who is Carter G Woodson
500
This poet known for her work on civil rights, feminism, and Black female identity closed one of her poems:
“Talking to some people is like talking to a toilet”
Who is Audre Lorde