February has long marked the annual celebration of Black History Month, a month dedicated to the remembrance and celebration of black Americans within the history of the United States.
First celebrated in 1926 as Negro History Week, the event’s creator, the Association for the Study of Negro Life, chose the second week of February for the celebratory week as it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. Black History Month has been recognized by every U.S. president since 1976. Several other countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada, dedicate a month to the celebration of black history.
As Black History Month comes to a close, test your knowledge on famous black Iowans and history in the state of Iowa.