AP African American Studies Resource Archive | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

A color photograph of a young Black woman with arms outstretched, a surgical mask under her chin, wearing a white shirt bearing the emblem of black fist and the word Juneteenth with trees, tall buildings, and groups of people behind her

An Introduction to Juneteenth

by Graham Hodges

Explore the history and commemoration of Juneteenth.

Essay

A man with a beard, blue and white checkered shirt, and dark blue suit jacket smiles at the camera.

The Odyssey of Phillis Wheatley

with David Waldstreicher

Explore the life of this Black, female poet who published a book of poems while enslaved, and learn about the reactions to her work at the time.

Video

Photograph of Chad Williams, a Black man, in a blue suit with a light blue button-down shirt.

The Wounded World: W. E. B. Du Bois and the First World War

with Chad Williams

Learn about W.E.B. Du Bois and his thoughts on the participation of Black Americans in the First World War.

Video

A Black woman with black curly hair and red lipstick smiles at the camera. She wears a collared blue patterned shirt, and a suit jacket.

A History of the Enslaved Black Family

with Brenda Stevenson

Learn about the history of the Black family from the Middle Passage through Reconstruction.

Video

Black and white print of Black men, women, and children reading the news of their emancipation.

The Union Army and Juneteenth

1865

Learn more about the origins of Juneteenth through this print.

Primary Source

The front page of a newspaper titled "The Independent Gazetteer; Or, The Chronicle of Freedom" and dated April 12, 1788.

Fighting for the Rights of Black Lives in the Founding Era

with Mandel Holland, Elijah Malcomb, and Sandra Trenholm

Explore the writings of Prince Hall and James Forten.

Video

Union troops, primarily African American, in blue uniforms, charging White Confederate troops in gray uniforms. An American flag waves in the center midground; a Confederate battle flag hangs in the left background.

The Massachusetts 54th

with Jermain Corbin and Sandra Trenholm

Explore the history of the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry.

Video

A woman with curly, short, black and auburn hair smiles at the camera in front of a brick background. She wears a blue top, gold hoop earrings, and glasses with black frames.

The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church

with Rachel L. Swarns

Learn the story about the 272 enslaved people who were sold to fund the construction of Georgetown University.

Video

Letter written in brown ink in cursive on yellowing paper.

John Quincy Adams and the Amistad Case

1840

Read a letter written by John Quincy Adams about his role in supporting the Amistad captives’ petition for freedom.

Primary Source

1808 Engraving of the deck and hold of a slave ship illustrating how little space enslaved people had on board

The Middle Passage

1749

Scrutinize an image and a letter that address the experience of kidnapped Africans on a slave ship.

Primary Source

A black-and-white photograph of Robert Smalls, a goateed Black man, seated, wearing a dark jacket, bow tie, and vest (with pocket watch chain), and a white shirt.

Beyond the Battlefield: African American Contributions to the Civil War

with Elizabeth R. Varon

Learn more about the men, women, and children who contributed to the war effort through various means.

Video

Two African American men sitting in front of a tent, one with cigar and the other with a soup ladle.

African Americans and the Civil War

with Elizabeth R. Varon

Learn more about free and enslaved Africans’ contributions to the Union war effort.

Video