History of African Americans in Philadelphia

African Americans have been living in Philadelphia for hundreds of years. They came to the city to work and find new opportunities in the early 1600s. Over the years, African Americans have made significant contributions to the city's culture and history. Philadelphia was the first city in the United States to recognize African American History Month in 1976 and has a rich African American heritage that is celebrated every year. For many years, African Americans in Philadelphia were at the forefront of the civil rights movement, fighting for equality and protesting against slavery, racism, and segregation. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, African Americans in Philadelphia played a major role in the city's commercial and cultural life, becoming successful business owners, doctors, and lawyers. After the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, African Americans in Philadelphia had expanded educational and economic opportunities, leading to the growth of the city's middle class. Today, African Americans are a major part of Philadelphia's population, making up 42.8% of the city's population.