The Black Panther Party (BPP) was a revolutionary socialist organization that was founded in Oakland, California, in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. The BPP was one of the most influential and controversial groups of the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

The Black Panther Party's original mission was to monitor police brutality and oppression in Black communities, and to protect the rights of African Americans through armed self-defense. They were known for their iconic symbol of the panther and for their community programs such as free breakfast for children, health clinics, and education initiatives.

The BPP faced intense government surveillance and repression, with many members being targeted by the FBI's COINTELPRO program. The party also experienced internal conflicts and divisions which eventually led to its decline by the late 1970s.

Despite its controversial history, the Black Panther Party made significant contributions to Black history by bringing attention to issues of racial injustice, police violence, and inequality. The legacy of the Black Panther Party continues to inspire generations of activists fighting for social justice and equality.