Black History Month Trading Cards

BET celebrates BHM with commemorative gifs.

Barack Obama Is Elected President - November 4, 2008, is a date we all have burned into our memory. Then-newly elected President Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters dressed in red and black surrounding him as he addressed the crowds in Grant Park, Illinois, during his victory speech. "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible," said the first Black president of the United States, "Tonight is your answer." Eight years later, it's still the answer. (Photo: BET)

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Barack Obama Is Elected President - November 4, 2008, is a date we all have burned into our memory. Then-newly elected President Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters dressed in red and black surrounding him as he addressed the crowds in Grant Park, Illinois, during his victory speech. "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible," said the first Black president of the United States, "Tonight is your answer." Eight years later, it's still the answer. (Photo: BET)

The First Air Jordans - When your favorite rappers dedicate anthems and diss tracks to a sneaker company, you know your culture currency is high. Michael Jordan's on-court contributions are G.O.A.T. status. But it's his multi-billion dollar shoe brand (which still earns him $100 million a year, according to Forbes) that laid the blueprint for athlete sneaker endorsements. Since 1985, Air Jordans have impacted pop culture, fashion, and helped make Nike the juggernaut of kicks. Don't expect the brand built by the Jumpman to fade away. (Photo: BET)

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The First Air Jordans - When your favorite rappers dedicate anthems and diss tracks to a sneaker company, you know your culture currency is high. Michael Jordan's on-court contributions are G.O.A.T. status. But it's his multi-billion dollar shoe brand (which still earns him $100 million a year, according to Forbes) that laid the blueprint for athlete sneaker endorsements. Since 1985, Air Jordans have impacted pop culture, fashion, and helped make Nike the juggernaut of kicks. Don't expect the brand built by the Jumpman to fade away. (Photo: BET)

Halle Berry and Denzel Washington Win Top Prize at the Oscars - Call it a make-up. In 2002, the first time since the Oscars began in 1929, two African-Americans won Best Actor and Best Actress. Giving the honor to both Denzel Washington for Training Day and Halle Berry for Monster's Ball was controversial, especially considering that the roles weren't their best work. (Denzel wins for Training Day but not Malcolm X?) But ultimately, it didn't matter. Seeing them both win top prize was a history-making moment. Unfortunately, 14 years later, the Oscars seem to be regressing: the 2016 nominees include not a single African-American in any of the top categories. We'll always have 2002. Cue that Jada Pinkett Smith speech right about now. (Photo: BET)

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Halle Berry and Denzel Washington Win Top Prize at the Oscars - Call it a make-up. In 2002, the first time since the Oscars began in 1929, two African-Americans won Best Actor and Best Actress. Giving the honor to both Denzel Washington for Training Day and Halle Berry for Monster's Ball was controversial, especially considering that the roles weren't their best work. (Denzel wins for Training Day but not Malcolm X?) But ultimately, it didn't matter. Seeing them both win top prize was a history-making moment. Unfortunately, 14 years later, the Oscars seem to be regressing: the 2016 nominees include not a single African-American in any of the top categories. We'll always have 2002. Cue that Jada Pinkett Smith speech right about now. (Photo: BET)

First Black Woman Ambassador of Dior - For Rihanna, it's all or nothing at all. And in 2015, it was all about breaking records and being first. To start, she became the first Black woman to be named the face of legendary luxury fashion house Dior in their 60-year history. Oh, and she also managed to become the very first artist certified by the RIAA for one hundred million gold and platinum single sales. In January 2006, her first single, "Pon de Replay," was certified gold. Just eight years — and countless hit singles later — she became the highest selling singles artist of all time. (Photo: BET)

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First Black Woman Ambassador of Dior - For Rihanna, it's all or nothing at all. And in 2015, it was all about breaking records and being first. To start, she became the first Black woman to be named the face of legendary luxury fashion house Dior in their 60-year history. Oh, and she also managed to become the very first artist certified by the RIAA for one hundred million gold and platinum single sales. In January 2006, her first single, "Pon de Replay," was certified gold. Just eight years — and countless hit singles later — she became the highest selling singles artist of all time. (Photo: BET)

Colin Powell Becomes Secretary of State - History will not be kind to George W. Bush's tenure as president. But there's a highlight — he appointed Colin Powell Secretary of State in 2001. Powell made it clear from day one that his job was to uphold his responsibilities as a member of a Republican White House, which often ran counter with what the Black community wanted to see. But when it mattered, Colin got on the right side of history, breaking ranks with his party by endorsing Barack Obama in 2008. (Photo: BET)

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Colin Powell Becomes Secretary of State - History will not be kind to George W. Bush's tenure as president. But there's a highlight — he appointed Colin Powell Secretary of State in 2001. Powell made it clear from day one that his job was to uphold his responsibilities as a member of a Republican White House, which often ran counter with what the Black community wanted to see. But when it mattered, Colin got on the right side of history, breaking ranks with his party by endorsing Barack Obama in 2008. (Photo: BET)

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The World Loses Its Greatest Entertainer, Michael Jackson - Looking back, it's not hard to see why the King of Pop wasn't meant to be long for this world. Working non-stop for four decades with increasing fame and fortune and a host of personal problems, it's amazing he was able to be in the spotlight for as long as he was. Without Michael Jackson, there would be no Chris Brown, no Usher, no Justin Timberlake — the list could go on and on. His presence exists forever in the very heart and soul of R&B and pop. We forever bow down to the crown. (Photo: BET)

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The World Loses Its Greatest Entertainer, Michael Jackson - Looking back, it's not hard to see why the King of Pop wasn't meant to be long for this world. Working non-stop for four decades with increasing fame and fortune and a host of personal problems, it's amazing he was able to be in the spotlight for as long as he was. Without Michael Jackson, there would be no Chris Brown, no Usher, no Justin Timberlake — the list could go on and on. His presence exists forever in the very heart and soul of R&B and pop. We forever bow down to the crown. (Photo: BET)

'Bling' Enters Merriam-Webster's Dictionary in 1999 - In 1999, Cash Money Records rapper BG released "Bling Bling" as the first single from his album Chopper City in the Ghetto. Beyond being a runaway success as a single, the song's title became ubiquitous — a slang term that turned into a way of life. Hip hop terms that become everyday language is nothing new. But when a term like "bling" is entered in Merriam-Webster's dictionary, it's a clear sign that the word has staying power. And that's dope! (Photo: BET)

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'Bling' Enters Merriam-Webster's Dictionary in 1999 - In 1999, Cash Money Records rapper BG released "Bling Bling" as the first single from his album Chopper City in the Ghetto. Beyond being a runaway success as a single, the song's title became ubiquitous — a slang term that turned into a way of life. Hip hop terms that become everyday language is nothing new. But when a term like "bling" is entered in Merriam-Webster's dictionary, it's a clear sign that the word has staying power. And that's dope! (Photo: BET)

Toni Morrison Wins the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993 - Ever since she made her debut with 1970's The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison has dazzled readers with her lyrical, haunting voice, used as a way of exploring identity, racism, sexual abuse and violence. When she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for her many contributions to the form, Morrison spoke to the power of words. "Narrative is radical, creating us at the very moment it is being created," she said. (Photo: BET)

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Toni Morrison Wins the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993 - Ever since she made her debut with 1970's The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison has dazzled readers with her lyrical, haunting voice, used as a way of exploring identity, racism, sexual abuse and violence. When she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for her many contributions to the form, Morrison spoke to the power of words. "Narrative is radical, creating us at the very moment it is being created," she said. (Photo: BET)

LAPD Officers Are Caught on Tape Beating Motorist Rodney King. Their Acquittal a Year Later Leads to the LA Riots in South Central - Long before social media and hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, Rodney King's vicious treatment by the LAPD went viral. The incident sparked a nationwide debate about police brutality, the treatment of Black men and a judicial system skewed against people of color. It also led to an outburst of anger and violence that destroyed communities and broke spirits. King's now-famous question, "Can't we all just get along?" still hasn't been answered. (Photo: BET)

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LAPD Officers Are Caught on Tape Beating Motorist Rodney King. Their Acquittal a Year Later Leads to the LA Riots in South Central - Long before social media and hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, Rodney King's vicious treatment by the LAPD went viral. The incident sparked a nationwide debate about police brutality, the treatment of Black men and a judicial system skewed against people of color. It also led to an outburst of anger and violence that destroyed communities and broke spirits. King's now-famous question, "Can't we all just get along?" still hasn't been answered. (Photo: BET)

Black Men Gather in Washington, D.C., for the Million Man March - One fall day, Black men heeded the call put out by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and came to the National Mall in droves, by plane, train, automobile and bus. With speeches by Jesse Jackson, Rosa Parks and other notable civil rights icons, the men went home with uplifting messages to share with their communities. Over two decades later, it's still a highlight for many Generation Xers who made it to the historic occasion. (Photo: BET)

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Black Men Gather in Washington, D.C., for the Million Man March - One fall day, Black men heeded the call put out by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and came to the National Mall in droves, by plane, train, automobile and bus. With speeches by Jesse Jackson, Rosa Parks and other notable civil rights icons, the men went home with uplifting messages to share with their communities. Over two decades later, it's still a highlight for many Generation Xers who made it to the historic occasion. (Photo: BET)

Serena Williams Wins Her 36th Grand Slam Title - In 2015, the sports icon scored her 36th overall Grand Slam title, with 21 of those being for singles alone. That's not all — Williams now holds the most major singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles combined among active players of any gender. Serena hit another milestone in 2015, becoming the first Black woman to be named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year. And with every milestone, she's done it all on her own terms. (Photo: BET)

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Serena Williams Wins Her 36th Grand Slam Title - In 2015, the sports icon scored her 36th overall Grand Slam title, with 21 of those being for singles alone. That's not all — Williams now holds the most major singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles combined among active players of any gender. Serena hit another milestone in 2015, becoming the first Black woman to be named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year. And with every milestone, she's done it all on her own terms. (Photo: BET)