Black history month 2022: what will be the main celebrations in the country?
February is black history month and here are some of the ways Americans can celebrate some of the most pivotal moments in American history.
On January 31, the President Joe Biden signed an executive order declaring February as Black History Month.
President Biden said it "was essential that we take time to celebrate the immeasurable contributions of Black Americans, honor the legacies and achievements of generations past, reckon with centuries of injustice, and confront those injustices that still fester today."
The month will include celebrations surrounding black culture and history in the US, with a special focus on health and wellbeing, the theme for 2022.
Black history is American history
There are plenty of events and things you can do to celebrate black history.
In your state there are likely to be marches and speeches, so you should have a look for these on social media or state websites.
Other ways of celebrating Black history Month include supporting black artists and musicians.
Netflix has a dedicated section for films and documentaries either created by black filmmakers, or prominently feature stories of the black experience in the US. Disney+ also has a section with similar aims.
If you are more a fan of reading, then check out your local library, which should have a section especially for the month. The No Name Book Club has a list of black-owned bookshops across the US, so you can both discover US history and support the community February is dedicated to at the same time.
Digital archives offer important primary reading. The National Archives and the National Museum of African American History & Culture's Black History Month collection offer two easily accessible archives.