Commemorate African-American History with primary sources from the National Archives, the Library of Congress and other U.S. libraries and academic institutions:

1.  "Jim Crow Laws" - including links to the original Emancipation Proclamation; President Lincoln's handwritten letter declaring that "slavery is wrong," and a 19th-century "Jim Crow" song.  http://www.awesomestories.com/history/crow_laws/crow_laws_ch1.htm 

2.  "Frederick Douglass" - a summary biography with links to his narratives and pictures of his family and home.  http://www.awesomestories.com/biography/frederick_douglass/frederick_douglass_ch1.htm 

3.  "Underground Railroad" - the story opens with the legend which named a movement.  http://www.awesomestories.com/history/underground_railroad/underground_railroad_ch1.htm 

4.  "Amistad Incident" - a former United States President represents captured Africans and wins their freedom.  http://www.awesomestories.com/famous_trials/amistad/amistad_ch1.htm  

5.  "Little Rock Protests" - Nine Little Rock students are the first African-Americans to attend Central High School. http://www.awesomestories.com/history/school_busing/school_busing_ch2.htm 

6.  "Plessy v Ferguson" - In June of 1892, Homer Plessy (7/8 white, 1/8 black) wanted to sit in a "whites only" railroad car. He was arrested, and his case went to the United States Supreme Court. The justices endorsed the concept of "separate but equal," leading to decades of legally permitted racial discrimination. http://www.awesomestories.com/famous_trials/plessy/plessy.htm 

The NIFL-recommended website is free to all educators, schools and libraries.  Simply request an academic membership at its main URL http://www.awesomestories.com/ which provides a link to the sign-up form.  http://www.awesomestories.com/group_signup.php 

Carole Bos
Grand Valley State University
Dean's Advisory Board