Once the nation’s capital, Philadelphia boasts being the “birthplace of America,” where Revolutionary leaders met to sign the Declaration of Independence and, later, the Constitution. Our beloved Philly is also the home of many national “firsts,” including the first medical school, first women’s medical college, first children’s hospital, first general purpose electronic computer, and first zoo. Not only is Philadelphia key to understanding early American history, but it is also rich with Black history that has shaped our present in countless ways. From abolitionists to suffragists to civil rights leaders, Black Philadelphians have been fighting for equality and justice for centuries.

In the last 40 years, many Black historical and community figures have been immortalized by Mural Arts Philadelphia’s murals in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. But it is not just Black ancestors that have changed the course of history. Philadelphia’s vibrant murals also celebrate present-day Black lives and aim to address current issues of civil rights and social justice that affect our Black communities.

In honor of Black History Month, let’s look back at some of Mural Arts’ most memorable murals featuring Black trailblazers.