Our Story: American History Stories and Activities You Can Do Together
February 1, 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the day when four African American college students challenged racial segregation by sitting down at a "whites only" counter lunch counter at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, N.C. The National Museum of American History added an eight foot portion of the Greensboro lunch counter to its collection in 1993. Read more »
Celebrate African American History Month and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in February. Dr. King said, “Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.” How have you made the world better? In the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made big changes in America and around the world by showing people how to confront inequality and injustice without using physical force. His ideas can help you make your own changes in the world today. Read more »
During the 1800s, over 100,000 slaves in America sought freedom by running away from their owners. A slave who tried to escape risked punishment, capture and return to slavery, or even death for their escape attempt. These brave Black Americans followed secret routes known as the Underground Railroad as they traveled north toward free states and Canada or south to Mexico. The Underground Railroad consisted of a network of people working to help bring slaves to freedom. Like the escaping slaves, they too faced great danger but continued to help because they believed slavery was wrong. Read more »
February is African American heritage month! OurStory’s Find Books tab includes 92 recommended books about African American history. Whether you’re looking for a book for your kindergartener, middle schooler, or for your own reading, check out the search results for “African American History.” Read more »
Find free, fun family activity suggestions by e-mail when you sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. We’ll let you know when there are updates to the Web site, events online, or festivals at our Museum. Whether you’re from Washington, D.C. or Washington State, this is news you can use! Read more »
Featured Pages
Students 'Sit' For Civil Rights
February 1, 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the day when four African American college students challenged racial segregation by sitting down at a "whites only" counter lunch counter at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, N.C. The National Museum of American History added an eight foot portion of the Greensboro lunch counter to its collection in 1993. Read more »
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolence
Have you ever wanted to make a difference? In the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made big changes in America and around the world by showing people how to confront inequality and injustice without using physical force. His ideas can help you make your own changes in the world today. Read more »
Slavelife and the Underground Railroad
During the 1800s, over 100,000 slaves in America sought freedom by running away from their owners. A slave who tried to escape risked punishment, capture and return to slavery, or even death for their escape attempt. These brave Black Americans followed secret routes known as the Underground Railroad as they traveled north toward free states and Canada or south to Mexico. The Underground Railroad consisted of a network of people working to help bring slaves to freedom. Like the escaping slaves, they too faced great danger but continued to help because they believed slavery was wrong. Read more »
More Books About African Americans
February is African American heritage month! OurStory’s Find Books tab includes 92 recommended books about African American history. Whether you’re looking for a book for your kindergartener, middle schooler, or for your own reading, check out the search results for “African American History.” Read more »
Sign Up for Our Monthly E-Newsletter
Find free, fun family activity suggestions by e-mail when you sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. We’ll let you know when there are updates to the Web site, events online, or festivals at our Museum. Whether you’re from Washington, D.C. or Washington State, this is news you can use! Read more »
Featured Activities
Read This Book
Freedom on the Menu
by Carole Boston Weatherford
In 1960, signs throughout the town of Greensboro, North Carolina told eight-year-old Connie where she could and could not go. When Connie sees four young men take a stand for equal rights at a Woolworth’s lunch counter, she realizes that things may soon begin to change. Freedom on the Menu, tells the story through the eyes of young Connie.
