America is making further progress in celebrating black history and triumphs. In 2021, Tishaura Jones became the first black woman elected mayor of St. Louis, just as Kamala Harris was declared the first female vice president of the United States — and the first of black and Asian descent to hold that rank. That same year, Juneteenth (June 17), which signifies the end of slavery in the United States, became a federal holiday through legislation signed by President Joe Biden.
The legacy of influential black Americans has not always been recognized, so it is not uncommon for modern residents to overlook the historic sites of their own cities. While some historical black figures are more renowned than others, there are entire generations of historical black figures – dating back to the days of Jim Crow slavery through the civil rights era – who have left traces of their vision across the country. Whether it be personalities such as Robert Abbott, who founded The Chicago Defender, one of the largest African-American newspapers in the country, or more discreet initiators such as Obrey Wendell Hamlet, who, thanks to its entrepreneurial touch, has cultivated a unique vacation. experiences in the Rocky Mountains – one thing is certain: there are still many more unexplored histories of black people than we know.
In the United States, 232 sites are considered nationally significant to Black history. Using the National Register of Historic Places, Stacker identified historic sites commemorating black history in 47 states. North Dakota, Vermont, Hawaii and Wyoming had no black historic sites on the register. While some states, particularly in the South, are home to many central sites of the civil rights movement, Stacker listed the total number of sites in each state and the names of three historical sites, if any. You can visit the comprehensive Register of Historic Places and explore the Civil Rights Trail to learn about other historic sites across the United States.
Read on to explore and learn about historic sites celebrating Black history nationwide.
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