The month of February has been nationally recognized as National African American History Month since 1976 in the United States, as a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history.

According to the History Channel, the event itself came about from “Negro History Week”, the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson, and began in 1915, half a century after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

The United States is not the only country that recognizes February as National African American  History Month. In fact, several other countries around the world recognize the month, including Canada, and the United Kingdom.

In the Washington D.C. area, there are several events to celebrate National African American History Month, and we’ve compiled a few events and memorials for you to check out over the course of the month:

• Martin Luther King Memorial
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• National Museum of American History
• Frederick Douglass’ Birthday Event 
• Gateways: Curator’s Conversation at the Anacostia Community Museum
• African American Civil War Memorial and Museum