You may also like
Rowan, Carl T. (1925–2000)
Rowan was born August 11, 1925, in the mining town of Ravenscroft, Tennessee.  When he was a baby his family moved to McMinnville, Tennessee, because his parents thought its lumberyards offered more opportunity. His father, Thomas, stacked lumber for construction, and his mother, Johnnie, cleaned
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Boston Professional Chapter
Sep
23
2000
South africa
Jan Christiaan Smuts brought the nation into World War II on the Allied side against Nationalist opposition, and South Africa became a charter member of the United Nations in 1945, but he refused to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Apartheid—racial separation—dominated domestic
Read more
Source: Fact Monster - Black History
McFerrin, Robert Keith, Sr. (1921–2006)
In 1953 baritone Robert McFerrin Sr. made history as the first African American to win the Metropolitan Opera House’s Auditions of the Air radio contest.  On January 27, 1955, in the role of Ethiopian King Amonasro in Verdi’s Aida, McFerrin made history again by becoming the first African American
Read more
Source: Black Past
Smythe, Hugh Heyne (1913-1977)
Diplomat, scholar and author Hugh Heyne Smythe was born on August 19, 1913 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His mother was a housemaid and his father, who died when Smythe was three years old, was a mailman. One of five siblings, at age six Smythe was forced to start work as a paperboy to help support
Read more
Source: Black Past
Howlin' Wolf
Howlin’ Wolf, a nickname for Chester Arthur Burnett, was an American Blues musician, born on June 10, 1910, in White Station, Mississippi. Ranked at #51 by the Rolling Stone Magazine in the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and arguably deserving a better spot on the list, Wolf is without a doubt
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Jan
10
1976
Fauset, Crystal Bird (1894–1965)
Crystal Bird Fauset, the first African-American female state legislators in the United States, was born on June 27, 1894 in Princess Anne, Maryland. She grew up in Boston, Massachusetts but spent most of her adult and political life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Between 1914 and 1918 Fauset worked
Read more
Source: Black Past
Mar
27
1965
Documentary Films on Blackpast.org - African American History - Director
A&E Television Americas Black Warriors (on World War II) 1998
Read more
Source: Black Past
Langston University (1898-- )
In March 1897 the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature created a land grant college to train African American teachers, calling it the Colored Agricultural and Normal University.  Classes opened in the fall of 1898 in a church in the town of Langston.  Langston had been founded in 1890 as part of an
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Illinois Math and Science Academy
Mercer, Mabel Alice Wadham (1900-1984)
Mabel Mercer was one of the most important jazz cabaret singers of the 20th Century. Her personal singing style emphasizing interpretation, diction, lyrics, and projection over vocal proficiency influenced numerous leading singers including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Nat
Read more
Source: Black Past
Brooke, Edward, III (1919-2015)
Edward William Brooke III was the first African American to be elected by popular vote to the United States Senate.  Brooke, an African American, Protestant Republican, won elective office in the overwhelmingly white, Catholic, Democratic state of Massachusetts and emerged as a leader in the US
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Illinois Math and Science Academy
Medgar Evers
Medgar Evers was a popular figure in the American history for his reputation as an African-American civil rights activist. He actively participated in overturning segregation at the University of Mississippi. He was the field secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Sponsored by Illinois Math and Science Academy
Jun
7
1963
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte is an eminent African-American figure in the American entertainment industry. He is a notable singer, lyricist, actor and social activist. Belafonte came to international stardom as “King of Calypso” for his popular Caribbean musical style. He is famous for his
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Mar
1
1927
Quintard Taylor Presentations on Film or Videotape, 1975-2016
The following are video presentations of lectures I have given as the Scott and Dorothy Bullitt Professor of American history from 2006 to the
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Intellitech
Afro-Uruguay: A Brief History
In the following account University of Pittsburgh historian George Reid Andrews provides an introduction to the history of the population of African ancestry in
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sims, Ronald Cordell (1948- )
On May 8, 2009, Ronald Cordell Sims became the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Sims now second-in-command of the federal agency will oversee day-to-day operations of the Department which has an annual budget of $39 billion and some 8,500 employees.  A long
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Prospanica Boston Professional Chapter
May
8
2009
“Going South: William Fontaine’s Trip to Virginia, 1948”
In the following article drawn from his book, Black Philosopher, White Academy: The Career of William Fontaine, University of Pennsylvania historian Bruce Kuklick introduces us to the world of  philosopher William Fontaine, one of the few African American faculty members at an Ivy League
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by NSBE Boston
Cameroon
Cameroon is a Central African nation on the Gulf of Guinea, bordered by Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. It is nearly twice the size of Oregon. Mount Cameroon (13,350 ft; 4,069 m), near the coast, is the highest elevation in the
Read more
Source: Fact Monster - Black History
Himes, Chester (1909-1984)
A native of Missouri, Himes spent most of his childhood in southern towns and cities where his father taught in the mechanical departments of African American colleges. He graduated from high school in Cleveland, Ohio. After a 1928 robbery Himes spent seven and one-half years in prison. While in
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Prospanica Boston Professional Chapter
Smith, Samuel J. (1922-1995)
Samuel J. Smith, a Washington State Legislator and Seattle City Councilmember was born on July 21, 1922, in Gibsland, Louisiana.  Listening to speeches by Franklin Roosevelt broadcast on radio in the early 1930s persuaded young Smith that he wanted a future in
Read more
Source: Black Past
Jul
21
1922
A Successful Decision-Making Strategy for Choosing Where to Donate Your Historical Memorabilia
In the article below, Al “Butch” Smith Jr., PhD, and Peter Blecha describe the process by which the family of prominent Seattle photographer Al Smith Sr. chose the institution to permanently house the ten-thousand- image Smith collection. The process they developed and followed could be
Read more
Source: Black Past
Percy Julian
Percy Julian was born on April 11, 1899 in Birmingham, Alabama, one of six children. His father, a railroad mail clerk, and his mother, a school teacher stressed education to their children. This emphasis would ultimately prove successful as two sons went on to become physicians and three daughters
Read more
Source: Black History Resources
Sponsored by New York University
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (15th century- )
Ouagadougou is the capital and largest city of Burkina Faso. The Mossi people settled Ouagadougou in the fifteenth century. During this period, the Mossi expanded their territorial reach through the region south of the Niger River. By the sixteenth century Ouagadougou was the most powerful Mossi
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAP) Boston Chapter
Monrovia, Liberia (1821- )
Monrovia is the capital of Liberia as well as its largest city. It is located on Bushrod Island and Cape Mesurado along the Mesurado River. A 2008 census showed its population as
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative
Apr
25
1822
Joe Louis
Born: 5/13/1914 La Fayette, AlabamaDied: 4/12/1981 Paradise, NevadaJoseph Louis Barrow, best known as Joe Louis, was an American professional boxer. He held the world heavyweight championship from 1937 to 1949, and is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all timeAwards
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Seattle, Washington (1886- )
Established in 1886 when Washington was still a territory, the First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Seattle, Washington is the state’s oldest black church.  Initially, members began by meeting in each other’s homes.  These meetings eventually led to the opening of a home based Sunday
Read more
Source: Black Past
Sponsored by Diversity In Action
Knox, Clinton E. (1908–1980)
Clinton E. Knox was born May 5, 1908, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was the youngest of five children born to Estella Briggs Knox and William J. Knox Sr.  Knox’s older brother, William J. Knox, Jr., was one of the scientists who helped develop the atomic bomb during World War II.  His other
Read more
Source: Black Past
Oct
14
1980
National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (The Kerner Report), 1967
REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON CIVIL DISORDERS
Read more
Source: Black Past
Jul
28
1967
Julia Child
Name at birth: Julia McWilliams
Read more
Source: Fact Monster - Black History
Drew, Charles R. (1904-1950)
Charles R. Drew, a renowned physician and medical researcher and the first black surgeon examiner of the American Board of Surgery, revolutionized medicine by creating a system that allowed the immediate and safe transfusion of blood
Read more
Source: Black Past
Documentary Films on Blackpast.org
Capra, Frank The Negro Soldier 1943
Read more
Source: Black Past
More from Haiti24 – Nouvelles d’Haïti | Politique, affaires courantes, sport et autres rubriques
Les Cubains approuvent le mariage entre personnes de même sexe
Mondial de basket (F) : «On s'est mises dans la merde toutes seules», estime Alexia Chartereau
Foot : Jérémy Morel met fin à sa carrière
Mondial féminin de basket : Gabby Williams, une Française qui «transpire l'envie de gagner»
Mondial féminin de basket : Gabby Williams, une Française qui «transpire l'envie de gagner»
En Iran, des manifestantes en quête du soutien de l'Occident
Ligues des nations : l'Espagne renverse le Portugal et se qualifie pour le Final Four
Ligues des nations : l'Espagne renverse le Portugal et se qualifie pour le Final Four
Tops/Flops Portugal-Espagne : Simon héroïque, Bernardo catastrophique
Tops/Flops Portugal-Espagne : Simon héroïque, Bernardo catastrophique
Haïti24, cinq ans d’existence, rien qu’un Premier pas ! 
Les notes de Brésil-Tunisie : Raphinha voit double, Skhiri et Laidouni se montrent
Les notes de Brésil-Tunisie : Raphinha voit double, Skhiri et Laidouni se montrent
Explosions visant les gazoducs Nord Stream 1 et 2 : la piste du sabotage privilégiée
Cuba : coupure de courant généralisée après le passage de l’ouragan Ian
Entre IVG instrumentale et médicamenteuse, le choix de la méthode non garanti
« French Bukkake », une filière de traite des femmes au service de l’industrie du porno
Brésil-Tunisie : Sifflets, banane, lasers… Récit d'une soirée de fête gâchée au Parc des Princes
Ouragan Ian : panne d'électricité généralisée à Cuba, état d'urgence en Floride
Le long cheminement d’Emmanuel Macron sur la réforme des retraites
Pollution plastique : des géants de l’agroalimentaire mis en demeure de réduire leur impact
Guerre en Ukraine, en direct : les référendums d’annexion rejetés massivement par la communauté internationale
Référendums d’annexion en Ukraine : une victoire pour Moscou, une « mascarade » pour l’Occident
En Bulgarie, dans la région la plus pauvre de l’UE, la grande peur de l’hiver et de l’inflation
Tennis : Del Potro raconte son calvaire, «je suis incapable de monter les escaliers sans douleurs»
JO 2024 : réunion jeudi du Conseil olympique, avec Hidalgo et Pécresse
Mondial féminin de basket : «il y a une petite fenêtre, à nous d'en faire un portail», lance Toupane
Tennis : Lestienne sort Mannarino à Tel-Aviv
L'ambassade des États-Unis conseille aux ressortissants américains de quitter Haïti
Affaire Hamraoui : le cinquième homme présenté à un juge d'instruction
Guerre en Ukraine en direct : la Russie ne délivrera plus de passeports aux personnes mobilisées
L’Anglais Daniel Lee succède à Riccardo Tisci à la direction artistique de Burberry
Suez mise sur l’international pour rester un poids lourd de l’eau et des déchets
Handball: les Parisiens s'imposent contre Magdebourg en Ligue des champions
Formule 1 : Verstappen champion du monde à Singapour si...
Au Royaume-Uni, la Banque d’Angleterre agit en urgence pour enrayer la panique financière
Une récession en Europe en 2023 ? Les sombres prévisions de l'OCDE
Affaire Hamraoui : un cinquième homme mis en examen et écroué
Rugby : Boudjellal allume Novès après sa sortie sur Laporte et Simon
Foot : la VAR «tue la joie du jeu», déplore Thierry Henry
Ligue des champions : les joueuses du PSG qualifiées pour la phase de poules
Tennis : Carlos Alcaraz tête d'affiche au Kazakhstan pour sa reprise
Isolés dans des “porcheries” : les Tibétains face à la politique “zéro Covid” de Pékin
Revalorisation des salaires des enseignants : les doutes persistent sur l’augmentation de 10 % promise par Macron
« En se rangeant derrière la “gauche du travail”, Fabien Roussel tente de revitaliser le clivage entre gauche marxiste et non marxiste »
Malgré l’Ukraine, les Européens s’attendent à un net recul de l’influence des Etats-Unis
La disparition de l’Américaine Hilaree Nelson, légende de l’alpinisme
Guerre en Ukraine en direct : Kiev « n’acceptera aucune tentative de la Russie de s’emparer d’une quelconque partie de notre territoire », déclare Volodymyr Zelensky
Mondial féminin de basket: les États-Unis déroulent contre la Serbie pour aller en demies
Au Brésil, la violence gangrène les élections générales

Literature Facts

Women Facts

African American Facts