Black History Month!!

In 1854, Lincoln University became the first of many historically black colleges.

The first black astronaut would have been Robert Henry Lawrence Jr., but he died before he could travel to space. However, Guion Bluford became the first black astronaut in space in 1983.

In 1905, Robert Abbott became the first African-American millionaire. He owned a newspaper called The Chicago Defender.

Canada and the UK also celebrate Black History. Canada celebrates it in February and the UK celebrates it in October.

In the 1800's, one out of every four cowboys was African-American.

The National Association For The Advancement of Colored People was founded in 1909. It is one of the oldest Civil Rights organizations in the country.

Black History Month use to be Negro History Week but President Gerald Ford expanded it to a month in 1976.

In 1970, Toni Morrison published her first novel, The Bluest Eye.

On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after spending 27 years behind bars.

Bessie Coleman was the world's first black licensed pilot.