If you’ve done 1860s Unboxed, you learned a lot about traffic lights and even made your own! But you likely wouldn’t have recognized the traffic signals of the 1860s. They took on many forms and were not standardized until well into the twentieth century. By the 1920s though, things had only gotten busier with bicycles, horse-drawn carts, and motor vehicles … Read More
Black History Month 2026
Did you know that Americans have been commemorating Black history since 1926? This year the theme for Black History Month is A Century of Black History Commemorations, 1926-2026, and we would love to share some resources for your learners. Photo of several members of the Harlem Hellfighters who won the Croix de Guerre for gallantry in action in World War … Read More
Civil Rights Highlights: Literacy Test
Imagine going to register to vote in your local election. You go to the government office during the appropriate hours and request the form needed to register. Rather than give you the form, they begin to ask you questions. Was your grandfather able to vote? Can you prove that you have completed your education through fifth grade? Can you prove … Read More
Civil Rights Highlight: Gwenn Oaks Park
At History Unboxed®, we are constantly reminded that history is all around us. Living near DC, I’m reminded by the grand monuments and well-known historic sites. But there is a merry-go-round that sits in the middle of the National Mall, flanked by the Smithsonian museums and the Washington Monument, with a hidden history as a symbol of the civil rights … Read More
The Ancient Origins of Cornrow Braids
This debate is made more complicated by some people using this small ivory figure as a reason for modern Europeans to style their hair in traditional African and Black hairstyles like cornrows or box braids. The topic of braids brings up complicated topics like cultural appropriation, heritage, and much more! Let’s look more closely at the history of cornrows in particular.
Celebrating Historic Black Communities: Gee’s Bend
After emancipation, many formerly enslaved Black people were faced with limited opportunities and stayed as sharecroppers at the plantations where they had been enslaved. The system of sharecropping left them perpetually in debt to the landowners and former enslavers. Gee’s Bend, Alabama was one such community.
Celebrating Historic Black Communities: Gullah-Geechee
The roots of Gullah culture are deep and begin across the Atlantic with the distinct cultures of various West and Central African nations. The majority of the enslaved people who arrived in Colonial America from Africa came through Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina where they were quarantined before proceeding to Charleston, South Carolina to be sold.
Primary Sources for Studying Slavery
Teaching about slavery can be a challenge, but it can also motivate students to think critically about the past. The vast majority of enslaved people did not escape to freedom and may never be accounted for past when their arrival was indicated on ship manifests at their port of entry after being trafficked from Africa. For older learners, these resources can give a more robust understanding of what slavery looked like in the specific.
Black History Month Teaching & Learning Resources 2025
Black History Month is celebrated every year from February 1-March 1 in the United States & Canada. Did you know that Black History Month is also celebrated in other countries around the world like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands? They celebrate Black History Month in October but the mission is the same. In America, it is a month … Read More
Black History Month Poetry Teatime
Poetry teatime is a wonderful way for parents and children to connect – whether you are a homeschooling family or looking to spend time together after a day or school or work. This month is special because it’s Black History Month and there is a rich history of poetry and verse that you can explore. Visit The Poetry Foundation for … Read More