Joshua Hall

The designation originally began as "Negro History Week" in 1926, a creation of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The second week of February was chosen, aligning with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12). 

Official government recognition of Black History Month started with a proclamation from President Gerald Ford 50 years ago.  

Here at House Democrats, we see Black History Month as a time to rejoice, reflect, and remember that Black history is American history.

Connecticut was home to several notable moments in Black history. The Canterbury Female Boarding School, the first boarding school for young Black girls in the country, was located in Canterbury. Abolitionist John Brown was born in Torrington. The 29th Colored Regiment, an all-Black regiment based out of Fair Haven during the Civil War, were one of the first units to enter Richmond, Virginia after it was abandoned by the Confederate Army. 

Learn more about Black history in our state. 

Thanks to the work of the legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus in 2019, Connecticut became the first state to require public schools to include Black and Latino history in their curriculums. This law, passed on a bipartisan vote, ensures that the stories and triumphs of Black Americans will be taught throughout the school year. 

Here are more places that honor and support Black history and culture in our state.

Let's all take time to learn more about Black history, stand up against injustice, and speak out.