Who really said it
60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace, CBS transcript (2005)
Last verified 9 Nov 2026 · how we verify · spot an error?
For presentations
Verified quote & credit
“Black history is American history” — Morgan Freeman, 60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace (2005); documented use, not a claim of original coinage.
Can you use it?
Still under copyright. A short, credited quote is generally fine for talks, teaching, and internal decks; for commercial, published, or large-scale reuse, get permission.
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In context
Evoking the world of Morgan Freeman — born 1937. Theme: "Black history is American history". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
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Provenance
Black history is American history. Short excerpt
How we verified this
Only a short excerpt is reproduced; identification and commentary do not grant permission to reuse the complete work.
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Context
Freeman’s comment concerns the relationship between Black history and the national story. In the surrounding exchange, he objects to confining that history to one month. Removing that setting can make the sentence sound like an isolated slogan rather than part of his argument.
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The interview records the exact sentence spoken by Freeman.
Transcribes the surrounding Black History Month remarks and cites contemporary Associated Press coverage.
Institutional biography documents Freeman’s acting career, films and 2008 Kennedy Center Honor.
Documents his birth year and stage, television and film career; not evidence of first coinage.
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The author
For writers & researchers
60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace, CBS transcript. 2005.
Quotle.info. Who really said 'Black history is American history'? Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/black-history-is-american-history/