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Celebrate Black History Month

Posted on: February 12, 2021 - 4:52pm
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Celebrate Black History Month

The achievements and history of minority groups in the United States have often been overlooked. Cultural heritage months help showcase the importance of learning our shared history, including the challenge faced by different minority groups and the achievements made.

  • February: African American History Month
  • March: National National Women’s History Month, Irish-American Heritage Month
  • March 13 to April 15: National Deaf History Month
  • May: Asian Pacific American Heritage, Older Americans Month and Jewish American Heritage Month
  • June: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month)
  • September: National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
  • October: National Disability Employment Awareness Month and National Italian American Heritage Month
  • November: National American Indian Heritage Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. With origins dating back to 1915, throughout decades that followed mayors of towns and cities across the country began issuing yearly proclamations dedicating a week for celebrating the often-neglected accomplishments of African Americans in our country.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, and since that time every single US President who followed has designated February as Black History Month, along with a specific theme. February was to chosen as it coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. 

The Black History Month 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the United States.

Many of our local institutions have held wonderful virtual events to celebrate Black History Month, including the La Grua Center, Stonington Historical Society, Westerly Library and Mystic Seaport. We hope that residents were able to take advantage of the local programs, as well as the virtual offerings from art and cultural intuitions from around the country.The importance of Black History Month, and the value of exploring and understanding an array of cultures, can continue to be celebrated throughout this year. We encourage residents in particular to take advantage of the offerings from our local libraries.

Stonington Free Library Books and Movies Available

  • Books- Explore biographies, contemporary voices, young adults and children’s books.
  • Online Books

Stonington Free Library Events on YouTube

Mystic and Noank Library

  • Book Club- While the library can no longer hold the in-person book club, Saint Mark's Anti-Racism Team is holding a virtual, monthly book club- Mystic Conversations on Race (MyCOR). Click here to view a schedule of meetings and the accompanying material(s) to be discussed.

Westerly Library

  • Books- YA reads that celebrate historical figures who have changed the world.