Black History Month | History | KS2 | Ages 7-11

What is Black History Month?

Black and white images of Walter Tull, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Mary Seacole in cartoon frames

Black History Month is an event held to remember important moments in history, and to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black people in the UK and around the world.

It began in 1987 and gives everyone a chance to share, celebrate and learn about the importance of Black heritage and culture.

Find out more about amazing people, the work they’ve done, and their inspiring stories below.

a cartoon boy and a cartoon girl sitting on a yellow sofa reading books

Why do we celebrate Black History Month?

In the past, Black people were not always recognised for their contributions to areas like art, literature, business, sport and politics.

Black History Month celebrates the strength, resilience and contributions of Black people in the UK and around the world.

History

Throughout history, Black people have made important contributions to life in the UK and around the world, even through their stories have not always been widely shared.

Explore the stories of some important individuals through the information, activities, and videos below.

Historical figures

Have a look at this slideshow to learn about the inspirational stories of some historical figures.

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John Blanke
John Blanke was a royal trumpeter in the Tudor royal court during the time of King Henry VII and King Henry VIII. In Tudor society, trumpeters like John were valued musicians and had important roles at court occasions, on the battlefield and to announce the arrival of important royals.
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Jacques Francis
Jacques Francis was born on the coast of West Africa and was an expert swimmer and free diver. This meant that he was able to hold his breath for a long time and dive down to the seabed. In 1546, he was part of a team who helped to recover cannons from the wreck of Henry VIII's ship, the Mary Rose, after it sank in 1545.
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Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley was born in Africa. When she was a little girl, she was taken on a ship to America and sold to a family called the Wheatleys. They named her after the ship she came on — the Phillis. Even though it was rare at the time, the Wheatley family taught Phillis how to read and write. She wrote her first poem when she was just 14 years old. When she was 20, she went to England with her son and published her first book of poems. Phillis became the first African-American poet to have her work published in a book, in 1773.
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Ignatius Sancho
Ignatius Sancho was born on an enslaver's ship in 1729 and brought to London. Despite lots of challenges, he became a writer, composer and opened a grocery shop. He was one of the first known Black people to vote in Britain.
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Olaudah Equiano
Olaudah Equiano was taken from his home in West Africa as a child and forced into slavery. He bought his freedom in 1766 and later wrote a book about his experiences, which many people in Britain read. He worked hard to help change the law and end slavery.
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Mary Seacole
Mary Seacole was a British Jamaican woman who travelled to Crimea during the Crimean War (1853-1856). She funded the travel herself and set up a hotel near the battlefront where she looked after wounded soldiers.
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Walter Tull
Walter Tull was born in Kent in 1888. He grew up in a children’s home in London after his parents died. He was one of Britain’s first professional footballers, but he gave up his career to fight in World War One. He became the British Army's first Black officer to command white troops.
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Lilian Bader
Lilian Bader was born in Liverpool in 1918. She became one of the first Black women to join the British Army. Lilian started by helping in the army canteen, then later trained to fix aircraft equipment, becoming a leading aircraftwoman. Not long after, she was promoted to Corporal. Three generations of her family joined the armed forces.

Discover more on Black History

Follow these links to learn more about significant people and their important stories.

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English

An open book on a shelf with abc on the page and a yellow bookmark

There are many prominent, talented Black authors in the UK.

Some of them use their own experiences to inspire the stories they write and the characters they create.

You can learn about some famous authors with the information, activities and videos below.

Watch: Malorie Blackman

Malorie Blackman is an author, born in London in 1962. She has written many books for children.

Nigel Clarke finds out more in this video, including how Malorie began her writing career.

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A woman smiling wearing a winter coat, standing in front of Stonehenge. A small image of a book titled Am I made of stardust? is next to her

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Dr Maggie is a space scientist and television presenter.

She once said that she fell "in love with the idea of space travel" as a young girl, and had since spent her career "trying to show girls how fascinating space science can be".

Her non-fiction book called "Am I made of Stardust?" gives lots of fascinating facts about space and the universe.

Check out the Blue Peter Book Club to learn more