You may also like

93rd Infantry
93rd Infantry activated and assigned to combat in the South Pacific; the first African American division formed during World War II
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Museum of African American History in Massachusetts
May
15
1942
Howard Beach Incident
White teens in Howard Beach chased Michael Griffith, an African-American youth, onto a freeway where he was hit by a motorist. Griffith died from his injuries setting off a wave of protests and racial tensions in New York.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
7
1986
Actor Levar Burton born
Actor Levar Burton was born in Landsthul, Germany. Burton won fame for his acting in the television movie roots, which was based on the novel by Alex Haley. He became known once more in the 1980s and 1990s for his recurring role in the Star Trek: Next Generation series and movies.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Feb
16
1957
Pan-African Congress Meeting
Pan-African Congress, organized by W.E.B. Du Bois, met a Grand Hotel, Paris. There were fifty-seven delegates sixteen from the United States and fourteen from Africa form sixteen countries and colonies. Blaise Diagne of Senegal was elected president and Du Bois was named secretary.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by NSBE Boston
Feb
19
1919
David Ruggles
David Ruggles dies in Northampton, Mass. Often called the first African American bookseller for his bookstore established in 1834, Ruggles was an abolitionist, and a conductor on the Underground Railroad
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
26
1849
Fifty-fifth Congress (1897-99) Convened
Fifty-fifth Congress (1897-99) convened. One Black congressman: George H. White, North Carolina.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
15
1911
Frank Mingo, one of the pioneering advertising executives who specialized in tar
Frank Mingo, one of the pioneering advertising executives who specialized in targeting African American consumers, dies
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by BARBinc
Oct
30
1989
The first Kentucky Derby
The first Kentucky Derby is won by African American jockey Oliver Lewis riding the horse Aristides. 14 of the 15 jockeys in the race are African Americans.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
May
17
1875
Arthur Ashe
22 year old Arthur Ashe becomes the first African American to make the U.S. Davis Cup tennis team.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
May
14
1963
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson appears on the cover of Life magazine; first time an African American is featured on the cover in the magazines 13 year history
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
May
10
1950
Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen (1932-).
On June 6, 1950, Frank Petersen enlisted in the Navy. At the age of 20, he was the first Afro-American to be named a naval aviator in the Marine Corp. He was also the first African American to command a fighter squadon, a fighter air group, an air wing, and a major
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
6
1950
North American Slave Narratives
North American Slave Narratives documents the individual and collective story of the African American struggle for freedom and human rights in the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The project received a two-year grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to fund the
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative
Jan
0
0
White Democrats attacked demonstrators
White Democrats attacked demonstrators, who were marching from Albany to Camilla, Ga., and killed nine Blacks. Several whites were wounded.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAP) Boston Chapter
Sep
19
1868
William T. Coleman is named Secretary of Transpor
William T. Coleman is named Secretary of Transportation by President Gerald R. Ford. He is the second African American to hold a Cabinet level position
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
14
1975
Actor Ira Aldridge born
Shakespearean actor Ira Aldridge is *believed* to have been born in Africa. Aldridge was an apprentice carpenter in Maryland, where he learned German and became interested in the theater. Aldridge played such roles as the Moorish Othello.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Christo Rey New York High School
Jul
24
1904
Beatrice Foods is acquired by Reginald Lewis.
Beatrice Foods is acquired by Reginald Lewis. It is the largest business acquisition ever by an African American.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
9
1987
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.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Feb
17
1973
Rafer Johnson, is born
Born August 18, 1935, Hillsboro, Texas One of the greatest all-around track athletes in history. On Sept. 6, 1960, he won the Olymic Decathlon, the first for an African American.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
18
1935
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
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Museum of African American History in Massachusetts
Mar
27
2002
Amistad Liberators set Sail
The liberators of the ship Amistad set sail for Africa aboard the Gentleman.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
27
1841
In Tuskegee, Alabama, the Rosenwald Fund made grants to the Alabama State Board
In Tuskegee, Alabama, the Rosenwald Fund made grants to the Alabama State Board of Health to help meet the cost of a sutdy of syphilis in African American men living in rural Georgia and Alabama. Thus would begin a four decade long study of syphilis without treatment. Over 400 men were allowed to
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Feb
12
1930
African American Captures British General
African American Captures British General Prescott: African Americans continued to serve in the colonial militias, and some, like Prince, an African American man in Lieutenant Colonel Bartons Rhode island army, showed great daring and bravery. Early in August 1777, Colonel Barton conceived a plan
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
3
2002
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm became the first African American Presidential nominee, with 151 votes from the delegates polled.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jul
13
1972
Lelia Smith Foley becomes the first African A
Lelia Smith Foley becomes the first African American woman to be elected mayor of a U.S. city (Taft, OK)
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Apr
16
1973
Jimmy Winkfield wins his second Kentucky Derby
Jimmy Winkfield wins his second Kentucky Derby in a row. African American jockeys have won 15 of 28 Derby races.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Eastern Bank
May
1
1902
Max Robinson, first African American news anchor for a major television network
Max Robinson, first African American news anchor for a major television network died today.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
20
1988
Writer Wallace Thurman's play Harlem opens in NYC.
Writer Wallace Thurmans play Harlem opens in NYC. It is the first successful play by an African American playwright.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Christo Rey New York High School
Feb
20
1929
The Great Blacks in Wax Museum.
In 1983, Doctors Elmer and Joanne Martin opened a wax museum, the first of its kind in the nation, as well as, Baltimore, Maryland of African Americans leaders that were made of
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies
Jan
0
1983
First African American Intercollegiate football
Livingstone and Biddle College (now Johnson C. Smith) play the first African American intercollegiate football game
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
27
1892
The South Carolina Gazette reports that Cae
The South Carolina Gazette reports that Caesar, a South Carolina slave has been granted his freedom and a life time annuity in exchange for his cures for poison and rattlesnake bite. Caesar and the famous James Derham of New Orleans are two of the earliest know African American medical
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Illinois Math and Science Academy
May
9
1750
More from allAfrica.com
South Africa: Western Cape Premier Wants Probe Into Gangs In Police - South African News Briefs - October 28, 2022
Algeria: The French-Algerian War - 60 Years On, What Is Behind France's Reconciliation Agenda?
Tunisia's Decree Won't Stop Fake News. It Will Stop Free Speech
Tanzania: Musoma Rural Embarks On Tree Planting Campaigns
Tanzania: Bunge Committee Irked By Sluggish Secondary School Construction
Mauritius: Blue Economy - Equipment to the Tune of Rs 1.6 Million Remitted By Jica
Kenya: Uber, Bolt Drivers Stage Demos in Push for 18% Fare Commission Cap
Kenya: Huawei Targets Kenya's Remote Rural Areas With New Tech Solution
Kenya: KBL Set to Recruit 5,000 Sorghum Farmers
Kenya: President William Ruto Lauds Former Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua for Seamless Transition
Kenya: DT Dobie Unveils Sh16 Million Locally Assembled Mercedes Benz Truck
Kenya: All Set as Kisumu Rolls Red Carpet for Annual Inter-County Games
Kenya: Kakamega Homeboyz Appoint John Baraza as New Head Coach
Mauritius: Business Forum to Enhance Mauritius-Ivory Coast Economic Cooperation for Shared Growth
Kenya: President Ruto Urges MPs to Deliver on Legislative Agenda
Kenya: Union Urges Farmers to Increase Coffee Trees as Bright Future Beckons
Kenya: Meru Resident Petitions County Assembly to Impeach Governor Mwangaza
Kenya: KCB Bank Commits Sh250 Billion for Women Entrepreneurs
Ethiopia: News - Ethiopian Federal Police Detain Man, Accomplices for Alleged Possession of More Than Five Billion Birr Illegally, Money Laundering
Kenya: Top Four Corporate Changes in Kenya So Far in 2022
Kenya: 'Bored, Tired' Players Worried With Increased Wait for FKF PL Start
Kenya: Lawyer Miguna Due in Kisumu Today
Kenya: CS Moses Kuria Takes Over Office From Maina
Kenya: Ruto's Govt Will Never Harrass Investors Over Tax Disputes With KRA - Gachagua
Ethiopia: News - Ruling Party Central Committee Member, Somali Region MP Juweria Subcis Shot Dead "Deliberately": Regional Official
East Africa: Girls in Uganda Lured Across the Border to Undergo Female Genital Mutilation
East Africa: Droughts Don't Need to Result in Famine - Ethiopia and Somalia Show What Makes the Difference
Kenya: 16 Million Children Face the Double Threat of Climate Disaster and Crushing Poverty
Africa: Long Covid - How Lost Connections Between Nerve Cells in the Brain May Explain Cognitive Symptoms
Africa: Covid Vaccines Don't Just Benefit Physical Health - They Improve Mental Health Too
Africa Cup of Nations Seeks New Venue After Guinea Loses 2025 Hosting Rights
Africa: Rise in TB Deaths Another Fallout From the Pandemic, WHO Report Reveals
Zimbabwe: 'Polio Vaccine Is Safe for Children'
South Africa: SA Open for Spanish Business
South Africa: Measles Outbreak Update - Greater Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province
South Africa: After Two Years the Ga-Rankuwa to Pretoria Train Is Running Again. We Tried It
South Africa: Homeless - 'I Never Grew Up to Stand By a Robot With a Board'
South Africa: Tania Campbell Says She Was Ousted for Uncovering ANC Corruption
South Africa: Former Eskom Boss Arrested With Wife and Step-Daughter
South Africa: Gay Pride Marchers Shaken By Terror Threats
Libya: Decree On Libyan Women's Non-Citizen Children Fails Discrimination Test
Kenya: Four Points By Sheraton Nairobi Airport Bags Two Global Awards
Ethiopia: Business - Major Landmark for Akobo Minerals As It Begins Excavation On Segele Gold Mine
Somalia: Somali PM Pays a Courtesy Call On Puntland Leader
Congo-Kinshasa: Currency Shortage Threatens DRC's Small Businesses
Africa: Joint Statement of the Co-Chairs of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISISI Africa Focus Group
Africa: Coffin? Casket? Cremation? How to Make Your Death More Environmentally Friendly
Africa: Killing Two Birds With One Stone - New Research Shows How Cancer Drug Could Fight Malaria
Africa: Make the 'Beautiful Game' a Track to Greater Trade and Inclusion
Namibia: Geingob to Attend Matekane Inauguration in Lesotho Tomorrow

Lifestyle Facts

Recent Facts

Literature Facts

Literature Facts

American Civil War Facts

Martin Luther King Jr. Facts

5th Graders Inspirational speech pays Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr