This year Black History Month is marked by change not only in the story of African-Americans, but in the story of America itself. Help celebrate Black History as American history with County events throughout the month of February:

• The Historical Museum of South Florida has a number of events scheduled in honor of Black History Month (see the museum's calendar of events for details). The highlight event occurs on February 27, when the museum hosts an invitation-only preview of its newest exhibit, Black Crossroads: The African Diaspora In Miami. RSVP is required, so call Member Services at 305-375-5356 by Febrruary 20 to reserve your spot.
• Learn the history behind the African-American garden  and how to incorporate traditional elements into your landscaping.
• The talented M Ensemble Company celebrates Black History Month with their production of AWoman Called Truth, a riveting play that chronicles the life and achievements of Sojourner Truth. The production runs from February 5 through March 1; see the press release  for more details.
• The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department will host its Black History Month Celebration at Parrot Jungle on February 27 beginning at 11 a.m. Tickets are $35, which includes parking, live entertainment, notable guest speakers, door prizes, contests and more. Download the flyer for more details.
• Watch the march of Black History through the lens of the news camera on the next edition of Miami-Dade's  County Connection  program. The show will feature the Florida Moving Image Archive's presention of a video exhibition at the Miami-Dade Public Library in February. Check out the camera action On-Demand.
• The Miami-Dade Public Library system has a number of other events, activities and exhibits scheduled for Black History Month. Check out the downloadable schedule of events  or visit the library website for more information.
• Miami's history from a black perspective is the destination with Miami-Dade Transit's Black History Tours. The award-winning bus tours will return for the 16th year in February 2009 to once again highlight the rich cultural heritage of Miami's African American community. The free tours depart every Saturday in February beginning at 9 a.m. from the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st St., located in downtown Miami near Northwest Second Avenue. The free tours, launched in 1994 as MDT's contribution to the County's annual celebration of Black History Month, remain a popular outing as well as an educational tool for the community. Trained MDT bus operators narrate the approximately 3 1/2-hour tour aboard air-conditioned Miami-Dade Transit buses. Reservations are required. To schedule a tour, call 786-469-5028 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, click the Tours link at the Transit website.
• The Miami Art Museum explores the roles that ritual and spirituality play in the African-American artistic experience in its exhibit, NeoHooDoo: Art for a Forgotten Faith, which runs from February 22-May 24. Find out more about the exhibit and related programs and events in this downloadable schedule.