Skip to content
The Black History Room
  • Explore

    • All African American history
    • All stories A–Z

    By subject

    • Politics & Government
    • Civil Rights & Activism
    • Slavery & Emancipation
    • Military
    • Science, Medicine & Invention
    • Business & Economics
    • Arts, Music & Literature
    • Sports
    • Religion
    • Education
    • Women in History
    • Exploration
    • Law & Justice
  • Explore

    • World map
    • Countries A–Z

    By subject

    • Politics & Government
    • Civil Rights & Activism
    • Slavery & Emancipation
    • Military
    • Science, Medicine & Invention
    • Business & Economics
    • Arts, Music & Literature
    • Sports
    • Religion
    • Education
    • Women in History
    • Exploration
    • Law & Justice
  • Collections

    • Podcast: Black History in 10 Minutes
    • Reels & videos
    • This week in Black history
    • Timelines
    • Myths vs facts
    Portrait of Frederick Douglass Featured story Frederick Douglass (c. 1818–1895)
  • Resources

    • Sources & bibliography
    • Editorial policy
    • Corrections
    • News & updates
  • About us

    • About
    • Contact
    • Donate
Donate
Home

African American History

The history of Black Americans, from the colonial era to today: leaders, inventors, soldiers, artists and ordinary people who changed the country.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Portrait of Harriet Tubman

Military

Harriet Tubman c. 1820–1913

In 1863, a woman led a military raid that freed more than 700 enslaved people in one night.

Read more about Harriet Tubman
Portrait of George Washington Carver

Education

George Washington Carver c. 1864–1943

As a baby, he was traded for a horse.

Read more about George Washington Carver
Portrait of Garrett Morgan

Science, Medicine & Invention

Garrett Morgan 1877–1963

He walked into deadly gas. On purpose.

Read more about Garrett Morgan
Portrait of Ellen and William Craft

Slavery & Emancipation

Ellen and William Craft

In 1848, an enslaved woman escaped disguised as a white slave owner, and her husband played her slave.

Read more about Ellen and William Craft
Portrait of Booker T. Washington

Education

Booker T. Washington 1856–1915

One dinner with the President. The South exploded.

Read more about Booker T. Washington
Portrait of Bessie Coleman

Exploration

Bessie Coleman 1892–1926

American flight schools wouldn't teach her. So she learned French.

Read more about Bessie Coleman
Portrait of Bass Reeves

Law & Justice

Bass Reeves 1838–1910

He arrested his own son.

Read more about Bass Reeves
12

The Black History Room

Powerful people, moments, struggles and achievements from Black history

Support our work

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Donate

Explore

African American History

Global African History

Podcast: Black History in 10 Minutes

Donate

© 2026 The Black History Room