Black History

Sky HISTORY explores the historical, political and social experiences of Black people throughout the ages.

'TRIUMPH: JESSE OWENS AND THE BERLIN GAMES' - Jesse Owens sprinting in front of those words that also include images of his Olympic success

Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Games
Portrait photograph of Sara Forbes Bonetta

Sarah Forbes Bonetta: From slavery to the Queen’s goddaughter
Lord Mansfield, the Lord Chief Justice of England

Somerset vs Stewart: A turning point in British abolitionism

An English Heritage blue plaque for Dr Harold Moody

Dr Harold Moody: A pioneer for racial equality in 20th-century Britain

Black History Month - Sky HISTORY

Black History Month 2024: When is it celebrated in the UK?
Maj. Charity E. Adams and Capt. Abbie N. Campbell inspect the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

The untold story of WWII’s all-women postal battalion
Jesse Owens salutes while standing on top of the podium after winning gold in the long jump at the 1936 Olympics. Luz Long (R) stands in the second position while giving the Nazi salute.

How Jesse Owens defied Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Olympics
Cast members of 'The Windrush Warriors' pose as if they're ready for a fight

'It's a rallying call for all groups of people': Interview with the director of 'The Windrush Warriors'
Portrait of Charles Ignatius Sancho

Books on Black British history, culture and life that you should read

Martin Luther King Jr. at the 1963 Civil Rights March in Washington, D.C.

Why did the FBI wage a war on Martin Luther King Jr.?
Cheikh Anta Diop as a university student

5 groundbreaking Black scientists and inventors
Una Marson reading in the West Indian Radio Newspaper

4 incredible and inspirational Black British women
The National Windrush Monument in Waterloo Station

The reasons why Black History Month must be celebrated in the UK 
Sofia Akel

'Reading books that are rich in diversity': The Free Books Campaign
African American GIs

The Battle of Bamber Bridge: Racial violence during WWII
Portrait of Alessandro de' Medici

The life of Alessandro de' Medici, the Black Duke of Florence 
Vintage photo of two black cowboys

The forgotten history of the Old West’s black cowboys 
Mansa Musa

The most influential African empires from history
An extract from the Westminster Tournament Roll showing John Blanke

John Blanke: The black trumpeter at the heart of the Tudor court
Claudia Jones

Saluting Our Sisters: 7 female Black British activists 
Photo of a member of the 761st Tank Battalion

Black Panthers: The legendary 761st Tank Battalion from WWII
Nubian Jak Blue Plaque for Frank Crichlow

The Mangrove Nine trial and its impact on Black activism in Britain
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Isabel Wilkerson

'ORIGIN': Ava DeVernay's new film explores the global caste system and its dark influence
Portrait of Chevalier

'The Black Mozart': The life of Chevalier de St-Georges
Billy Strachan with his wife, Joyce Smith

Legends of Windrush: Influential Caribbeans who made Britain their home
A graphic composite image showing a WWII RAF plane and a map of the Caribbean

Pilots of the Caribbean: The most influential Black RAF pilots from WWII
HIH Prince Alemayehu or Alamayou

The real Bridgerton: 6 Black aristocrats from British history
Dr Harold Moody's plaque

The blue plaques honouring Black and Caribbean history in London