Black History Month is a time to rejoice, reflect, and remember that Black history is American history.

Official national recognition of Black History Month started with a proclamation from President Gerald Ford 49 years ago, to honor the many accomplishments and contributions Black Americans have made to our country. This year’s theme is “African Americans and Labor.”

House Democrats both celebrates Black History Month while at the same time recognizing that we must continue to reckon with the systemic racism from our past that is sadly still prevalent today.

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.

Several organizations in our state honor and celebrate the Black experience, including the Amistad Center for Art & Culture in Hartford, and the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American Museum in Stratford.

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

Every day, not just this month, we encourage everyone to take some time to celebrate and learn more about Black history, and also reflect and continue to strive for equity and justice for all.