Celebrate Black History Month with Local Events

February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements made by black Americans, a time to reflect and remember the role African Americans have played in U.S. history. 

According to History.com, the month-long observance emerged from Negro History Week, an event created by historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.

Patch has found events and displays close to home to help you celebrate.

• The in Winder is displaying a history of Glenwood High School, which was segregated until 1970. The display includes memorabilia, photographs, yearbooks and more. Many items on display are more than 70 years old. Museum admission is free to the public, and the exhibit will run through the end of the month. For more information, call the museum at 770-307-1183.
• Athens-Clarke County is hosting an African American Film Festival on Saturday at Lay Park. Disney's The Princess and the Frog, rated G, will begin at 1 p.m., and Glory Road, rated PG, will show at 3 p.m. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 706-613-3596.
• The Georgia Museum of Art, located on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, is hosting Tradition Redefined: The Larry and Brenda Thompson Collection of African American Art. The exhibit includes a collection of works by 62 African American artists. Museum admission is free to the public, with a suggested donation of $2. The exhibit will run through March 27. 
• Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta is hosting the traveling exhibit From Here to Timbuktu: A Journey Through West Africa. This interactive exhibit includes a canopy walk, a camel ride and hands-on activities. Visitors can enjoy story times, dance parties and making masks. The exhibit will run through May 30. Museum admission is $12.50 for those 2 and older. Children younger than 2 are free.
• Atlanta's first-ever Black History Month Parade will kick off at noon Feb. 26. The parade will begin at the corner of Auburn Avenue and Peachtree Center and will end at the festival area at Auburn Avenue and Fort Street. General Larry Platt, made famous on American Idol for his song Pants on the Ground, is scheduled to attend.