Selma March begins
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. leads thousands of people on a 54 mile march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama to call for voting rights for African Americans.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
21
1965
Cellular Phone Invented
Henry Sampson, an african-american, invented the cellular phone.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jul
6
1971
Naval Frigate named after African American
The Navy frigate USS Jesse L. Brown was commissioned. The ship was named for Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the first African American naval aviator killed in combat over Korea.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Feb
17
1973
Colin L. Powell
Colin L. Powell was the first African American to hold the highest U.S. Military post. In August 1989 he was named chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
0
1989
On this day in 1874, Congressman Robert Brown Elliot deliveredone of the most
On this day in 1874, Congressman Robert Brown Elliot delivered
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Boston Professional Chapter
Jan
6
1874
Col Frederick D Gregory becomes the first African American to lead a space missi
Col Frederick D Gregory becomes the first African American to lead a space mission.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
22
1989
Roland Hayes' Fifth American Tour
Roland Hayes opened his fifth American Tour at New Yorks Carnegie Hall packed with admirers.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
15
1928
Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, is consecrated at the first African American auxiliary bi
Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, is consecrated at the first African American auxiliary bishop in the U.S. He is assigned to Washington, D.C.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sep
12
1974
The movie, Green Pastures, premieres in New York's
The movie, Green Pastures, premieres in New Yorks Radio City Music Hall.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Illinois Math and Science Academy
Jul
16
1936
Birthday
Charles White Born April 2, 1918. Renowned African-Americccan artist born in Chicago, IL; died October 3, 1979. Charles White began his professional career by painting murals for the WPA during the Depression. He was influenced by Mexiccan muralists Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siquieros. Among
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Apr
2
1918
Father of Black Nationalism Born
Marcus Garvey, the father of the black nationalist and pan african movements was born on this day in St. Anns Bay, Jamiaca.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
17
1887
Etta Moten sings for President
Etta Moten sings for President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt at a White House Dinner. It is the first time an African American actress performs at the White House.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies
Jan
31
1934
More than one hundred delegates from six states
More than one hundred delegates from six states held a Black convention in Philadelphia. John Mercer Langston, one of the first Blacks to win public office, elected clerk of Brownhelm Township, Lorain County, Ohio. In 1856 he was elected clerk of the township of Russia, near Oberlin. In 1857 he was
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Oct
16
1855
James Augustine Healy
James Augustine Healy, first Black American Roman Catholic bishop, ordained a priest in Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
10
1854
The first African American nursing school
The first African American nursing school opens at Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
13
1881
The 99th Pursuit Squadron, an all African American
The 99th Pursuit Squadron, an all African American unit is formed and the Tuskegee Training Program is established, the 99th will fly more than 500 missions and more than 3,700 sorties during one year of combat before being combined with the 332nd Fighter Group.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts
Jan
16
1941
Founder of Pro-Line
Comer Cottrell, founder and president of Pro-Line Corporation (1970), the largest African American owned business in the Southwest and the first African American to be part owner of a major league baseball team (1989), the Texas Rangers, born
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
7
1931
Did You Know That In...
1780 - Two blacks aid in the capture of British spy, Major John Andre, in New York.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
1780
Virginia statue provides that baptism will not affectthe bondage of slaves.
Virginia statue provides that baptism will not affect the bondage of slaves.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by APEX Museum
Jan
0
1667
Gladys Ross dies
Gladys Merritt Ross, co-founder of Phi Delta Kappa sorority for African American teachers, dies in Stockton, California.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Pride Academy
May
6
1985
Cowboy Willie "Bill" Pickett dies
World famous African American cowboy Willie Bill Pickett died in Ponca, Oklahoma, hospital of injuries sustained after he was kicked in the head by a horse on the Millers Brothers Fabulous 101 Ranch.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Prospanica Boston Professional Chapter
Apr
2
1932
The first African American magazine, Mirror of Freedom, begins publication in Ne
The first African American magazine, Mirror of Freedom, begins publication in New York City.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
30
1838
Willie D. Burton
Willie D. Burton becomes the first African American to win the Oscar for sound, for the movie Bird.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by New York University
Apr
11
1988
Congress passed the first Enforcement Act which
Congress passed the first Enforcement Act which provided stiff penalties for public officials and private citizens who deprived citizens of the suffrage and civil rights. The measure authorized the use of the U.S. Army to protect the rights of Blacks.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by New York University
May
31
1870
The First Black Psychic!
Shirley Ajayi was the first African American given a part on a television show as a psychic! The show lasted for about one year[actually six months] in Chicago, Illinois since the show was seasonal! Shirley started her career the minute her predictions came true! She was renamed Aura and hired to
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sep
28
1986
William Ellisworth Artist is born
William Ellisworth Artist is born in Washington,N.C. Educated at Syracuse University and a student of Augusta Savage. His works will be exhibited at Atlanta University, the Whitney Museum, the Two Centuries of Black American Art exhibit and collected by Fisk University, Hampton University, the
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Feb
2
1914
Did You Know That In...
1669 - A Virginia act rules that slave owners will not be held liable for killing their slaves.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
1669
Charles Chesnutt Born
Charles Chesnutt, one of the first African-Americans to gain a national audience, is born in Cleveland Ohio.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
20
1858
Laurence Fishburne, Jr. Born
Actor Laurence Fishburne, Jr. was born on this day in Augusta, GA. Fishburne , nicknamed Fish will start his theatrical career at the young age of 10. He will become the son of the first African American family featured on a daytime drama at the age of 11. He will continue his rise to fame starring
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Illinois Math and Science Academy
Jul
31
1961
Zora Neale Hurston, writer/anthropologist born
Zora Neale Hurston
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Pride Academy
Jan
7
1891

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