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

A Black pilot in aviation gear sits in the cockpit of his plane, looking over his shoulder.

The Life and Death of Roger Romine: A Tuskegee Airman Gone Too Soon

by Lisa Bratton

Read about the life of Robert Romine, member of the Tuskegee Airmen, an elite but segregated branch of the military in World War II.

Essay

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

Scan of the front page of the Pacific Stars and Stripes Newspaper from August 30, 1963, featuring a large image of the 1963 March on Washington.

The March on Washington

with Bryson Bruce, Jermain Corbin, and Sandra Trenholm

Explore archival materials related to the March on Washington and the ensuing press coverage.

Video

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

Group of African Americans, marching near the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

History of Race Relations in America

with David Blight, Kellie Carter Jackson, and Manisha Sinha

Explore the importance of Black history and the history of race relations in America in this panel discussion.

Video

Screenshot of thumbnail of video, featuring the title on crumpled paper above a collage of archival photos.

African American Experiences, 1878-Present

with Kellie Carter Jackson, Charles McKinney, and Yohuru Williams

Dive into a panel covering African American experiences after Reconstruction with three historians.

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