Welcome to BlackPast 3.0

The wait is over—the new BlackPast.org is officially live! We’ve redesigned our site to bring you a modern, user-friendly experience that makes exploring Black history easier and more engaging than ever.

BlackPast is dedicated to providing reliable information on the history of Black people across the globe, and especially in North America. Our goal is to promote greater understanding of our common human experience through knowledge of the diversity of the Black experience and the ubiquity of the global Black presence. Welcome to the largest online encyclopedia on African American and Global African history on the Internet.

Featured Article

Opal Lee spent years advocating for Juneteenth to be recognized as a national holiday. Her passion, persistence, and powerful voice helped bring national attention to a day that honors freedom and history. Find out more about Opal Lee’s inspiring journey by reading her entry.

In Defense of Black History

This editorial page is part of an ongoing effort to present the ideas and opinions of individuals both within and beyond BlackPast.org that address the pressing issues and challenges facing African Americans and people of African Ancestry around the world, which are rooted in their historical experiences.

The Interactive African American History Timeline

Discover the rich and inspiring stories of Black history through our interactive timeline, highlighting key moments and figures that have shaped our world. Dive in and explore how history connects to the present and inspires the future!

The African Capitals

Africa’s capitals are full of life, history, and culture. From the energy of Lagos to the charm of Cairo, each city has its own story to tell. Discover what makes these places special on our African Capitals page.

What’s New on BlackPast?

Nate Archibald, 1974 (Wikipedia)

Nate Archibald (1948- )

Nathaniel “Nate” Archibald is a former National Basketball Association (NBA) player who spent 14...

Michael Spinks (1956–)

Michael Spinks is a former professional boxer and Olympic gold medalist. He was born on November...

Carroll Napier Langston (1917-1944)

Tuskegee Airman 2nd Lt. Carroll Napier Langston, Jr. was born on September 25, 1917, in a modest...

Explore More On BlackPast

Milton Lee Olive III (1946–1965)

Milton Lee Olive III was a United States Army soldier and the first African American to receive...

Ricardo Scofidio (1935-2025)

Ricardo Scofidio, an architect and co-founder of Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), was born Ricardo...
The Willard Straight Hall, Cornell University (1969)

The Willard Straight Hall Takeover at Cornell University (1969)

The Willard Straight Hall Takeover at Cornell University in 1969 was a pivotal moment in the...
Alain Locke, The New Negro Book Cover (barnesandnoble.com)

The Harlem Renaissance (1918-1935)

In the article below, cultural historian Otis Alexander describes the Harlem Renaissance, the...

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