Celebrating Black History Month 2012

Manyanani dancers from Cape Town, demonstrating the Gumboot dance created by South African mine workers. The dancers were part of 'Africa 95', a nationwide celebration of the arts of Africa, held in the UK in the last quarter of 1995. The wide-ranging events included visual and performing arts, cinema, literature, music, public debate, television and radio shows
Photograph: Garry Weaser for the Guardian

Model Naomi Campbell wearing a wedding dress made from newspapers and dollar bills as part of the New Renaissance collection at the Harvey Nichols and Perrier New Generation Designers Show, 1994
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Police and revelers at a Caribbean Carnival, Leeds, 1975. The Leeds Carnival, also known as the Leeds West Indian Carnival or the Chapeltown Carnival, has run since 1967 making it the longest running West Indian carnival in Europe
Photograph: Don McPhee for the Guardian

West Indian Servicemen’s Association (UK) members take part in the service of dedication at Westminster Cathedral, May 1986
Photograph: Jane Bown for the Observer

Mohammed Ali, considered by many to be one of the greatest athletes in boxing history
Photograph: Jane Bown for the Observer

Bernie Grant, Paul Boateng, Diane Abbott and Keith Vaz, 1987. Bernie Grant was Britain’s first black MP, Paul Botang was Britain’s first black Cabinet Minister and Diane Abbott was the first black woman to be elected to the House of Commons
Photograph: Gary Weaser for the Guardian

Shirley Bassey performing at London’s Talk of the Town nightclub, April 1970. In 2000 Bassey was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to entertainment
Photograph: David Newell-Smith for the Observer

The Nigerian National Troupe present ‘A Fantasia of Dance and Music’ at the Round House, Chalk Farm, London to promote the second World Black and African Festival of Arts to be held in Lagos in January 1975. Before coming to Britain, the troupe performed in Rome, Budapest, Moscow, East and West Berlin, Bonn, Paris, and Belgrade
Photograph: E. Hamilton-West for the Guardian

Nelson Mandela doing the clenched fist salute at an election rally in Johannesburg, South Africa, 1994
Photograph: Don McPhee for the Guardian

Ballet dancers in rehearsal at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, New York, 1975
Photograph: Denis Thorpe for the Guardian

Jesse Jackson shakes hands as he greets supporters from the podium during the Presidential campaign, Alabama, 1988
Photograph: Don McPhee for the Guardian

Jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong, 1956. Regarded by some as the father of Jazz, Armstrong’s 1964 title track from his record ‘Hello, Dolly!’ reached number one in the USA pop charts
Photograph: Denis Thorpe for the Guardian