You may also like

Prince Hall Masonry founded
Prince Hall founded Africa Lodge No. 1. It was the first Black Lodge of Free Masons in the United States.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts
Jul
3
1775
Death of Mary McLeod Bethune, educator/activist
Death of Mary McLeod Bethune (79), educator and civil rights leader, Daytona
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
May
18
1955
Blacks Declared Non-Citizens of US
The Acting Commissioner of General Lands for the United States, J.S. Wilson, stated that blacks were not citizens of the United States, and therefore were not legally entitled to preempt public lands.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Museum of African American History in Massachusetts
Mar
7
1859
Carol Mosely Braun
Carol Mosely Braun, a Democrat from Illinois, becomes the 1st African American woman elected to the United States Senate.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
3
1992
Eleanor Holmes
Eleanor Holmes (later Eleanor Norton) is born in Washington, DC. A graduate of the Yale University School of Law, Norton will become chairperson of the New York City Commission on Human Rights, and a Georgetown University law professor before being elected a non-voting delegate to Congress
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
13
1937
Phillis Wheatley freed
Poet Phillis Wheatley, born a slave in 1754, was freed and her first book of poetry, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was published. The book of poetry is said to have been widely acclaimed in the United States and England.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
21
1773
Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar born
Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar born Lewis F. Alcindor, Jr. in New York City.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Apr
16
1947
Republican Benjamin Harrison elected president
Republican Benjamin Harrison elected president.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
6
1888
Liberia
Minister Lott Cary left the United States leading a group of freed slaves, most of whom were members of the American Colonization Society, to colonize a small portion of West Africa. This area became known as the Republic of Liberia in 1847.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
23
1821
Elias Neau, a Frenchman, opened school for Blacks
Elias Neau, a Frenchman, opened school for Blacks in New York City.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Feb
28
1704
patent
November 15, 1898, Lyda A. Newman (New York City, NY) patented a hair brush which permitted easy cleaning by having a detachable unit which carried the brush and bristles.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
15
1898
The Great Migration
The Great Migration began. Approximately two million Southern Blacks moved to Northern industrial centers in the following
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative
Dec
4
1915
Wash., D.C. Slave Emancipation and Reparations
On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill ending slavery in the District of Columbia. Passage of this act came
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Prospanica Boston Professional Chapter
Apr
16
1862
Scott Joplin dies
Scott Joplin dies in New York City. Joplin was one of the early developers of ragtime and the author of Maple Leaf Rag. He also created several rag-time and grand operas, the most noteworthy was Treemonisha.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Apr
1
1917
Death of Thomas W. Waller
Death of Thomas W. (Fats) Waller (39), in Kansas City, Missouri.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
15
1943
Eighteen students suspended by Southern University
Eighteen students suspended by Southern University. Southern Univerisity students rebelled March 31, boycotted classes and requested withdrawal slips. Rebellion collapsed after death of professor from heart attack.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
31
1960
First Black Grandmaster
Maurice Ashley, an immigrant from Jamaica, was 14 and living in Brooklyn, when he feel in love with the game of chess after reading a book about Paul Morphy, a 19th-century Louisianian who was Americas first great chess
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
17
1999
Ellas Neau, a French immigrant, opens the Carechism Schoolfor black slaves in
Ellas Neau, a French immigrant, opens the Carechism School for black slaves in New York City with help from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; by 1708 he is instructing more than 200 pupils.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
1704
Spingarn Award: William Taylor
Spingarn Medal awarded to William Taylor Burwell Williams, Tuskegee dean and agent of the Jeanes and Slater funds, for his achievements as an educator.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
15
1934
Bus Companies Hire Blacks
Bus companies of New York City agreed to hire Black drivers and mechanics. This agreement ended a four-week boycott.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Apr
18
1941
Slavery Abolishment
Vermont became the first American colony to abolish slavery. By 1783 slavery was prohibited in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Pennsylvania passed a gradual emancipation law in 1780. Connecticut and Rhode Island barred slavery in 1784 and were followed by New York (gradual emancipation) and New
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies
Jul
2
1777
Daisy Lampkin dies
Daisy Lampkin, founder of the National Council of Negro Women, died from the effects of a December 1964 heart attack.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
10
1965
Pulitzer Prize and Spingarn Medal given
Charles Gordone awarded Pulitzer Prize for his play, No Place To Go. Painter Jacob Lawrence awarded Spingarn Medal in tribute to the compelling power of his work which has opened to the world...a window on the Negros condition in the United States and in salute to his unswerving commitment to the
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
26
1970
Progressive party convention
Progressive party convention, meeting in Philadelphia, nominated Henry Wallace for President. New Party made major effort to attract Blacks. Approximately 150 Black delegates and alternates attended the convention. The keynote speaker was Charles P. Howard, and attorney, publisher and former
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jul
23
1948
War of 1812
War of 1812: Although the U.S. Army did not enlist African Americans after the Revolutionary War, the U.S. Navy continued to use African Americans as seamen because of the perennial shortage of white sailors. The African American presence in the navy placed them at the center of the naval incident
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
16
2002
Ira Frederick Aldridge International known Shakespearean Actor born today in New
Ira Frederick Aldridge International known Shakespearean Actor born today in New York City
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jul
24
1807
First Black Woman to Head a Medical School in the
Barbara Ross-Lee, practicing family physician, Naval officer, and medical educator, assumed the position as dean of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing Michigan. This position made her the first Black woman to head a medical school in the United States.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by BARBinc
Aug
1
1993
Thaddeus Stevens (1792-1868).
Born in Danville, Vermont, in 1792, he graduated from Dartmouth in 1814, and moved to York, Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Gettysburg, PA for fourteen
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jul
4
1861
Death of poet Countee Cullen
Death of poet Countee Cullen (42), New York City.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
9
1946
African slaves in New Hampshire
First known record of African slaves in New Hampshire.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Christo Rey New York High School
Jan
0
1645
More from Houston Defender Network - Houston's Leading Black Community News & Information Source
Texas Southern University offers students online career assistance
Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer tests positive for COVID-19
Texas doubles early voting period for July primary runoff elections
Jay-Z, Alicia Keys sign Roc Nation letter demanding justice for Ahmaud Arbery
Nicholas Johnson becomes first Black valedictorian in Princeton’s 274-year history
Houston ISD to host virtual teacher job fair
Poll: Majority of parents want schools to remain closed even if children fall behind
Bipartisan bill would make changes to Paycheck Protection Program
Running while Black: Ahmaud Arbery’s killing reveals runners’ shared fears of profiling
Analysis: The coronavirus hits Texans of color harder
Mayor Turner proposes budget plan to close projected $169 million gap
Texas launches SNAP online grocery purchases pilot
TEA offers free tool to help plan for “COVID Slide”
Texas prisons to begin coronavirus testing with self-administered tests
Oprah Winfrey to host virtual ‘Your Life in Focus’ wellness tour
Morgan State University students win $10K each in NBA’s ‘Innovate The Future’
3 Black men get $18M settlement after spending nearly 40 years in prison
Ahmaud Arbery case puts spotlight on community’s race legacy
Legally armed Black citizens patrol white neighborhood where Ahmaud Arbery was killed
Evander Holyfield says he’s open to fighting Mike Tyson
News Wrap: 5-15-20 - Budget shortfall….Rent relief…and HBCUS host a virtual celebration
HISD hosts mass food distribution at NRG on Saturday
Sens. Booker, Cardin release plan to help small businesses
Defender Fit & Fine: Lebrina Johnson
Coronavirus: Living the new normal
HISD Board approves 'Innovation' designation in 7-2 vote
Obama emerges as central figure in 2020 presidential race
Louisville seeks US review of police killing of Breonna Taylor
Houston rapper Don Toliver, Rep. Jackson Lee provide lunch for frontline workers
Blacklock living NFL dream near home
Westbury HS among winners in Michelle Obama, MTV voting challenge
Houston to offer 13 free COVID-19 test sites week of May 18
Fort Bend ISD announces plans to host outdoor graduation ceremonies
Lawyer: Security video in Arbery case may show water breaks
METRO Park & Ride service gradually resumes
NFL teams can reopen facilities Tuesday, with provisos
May 21, 2020
Lawmakers, advocates frustrated with lack of comprehensive COVID-19 racial data
Biden hires Karine Jean-Pierre as senior adviser to engage Black voters
Harris County DA Kim Ogg explains officer-involved shootings on new video
Former White House butler who served 11 presidents dies of coronavirus
Texas is locked in a battle over voting by mail. Here's how to do it.
YMCA of Greater Houston announces June 1 reopening plans
Chris Rock, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, and more to honor Andre Harrell in BET tribute
CVS Health to open 44 new drive-thru test sites in Texas on May 22
Beyoncé to give graduation speech alongside the Obamas
News Wrap 5-22-20; Joshua Johnson, Mail-in ballots; Senior Spotlight
Man who recorded Ahmaud Arbery shooting video arrested for murder
Harris County stay-at-home order extended, despite state preemption
Defender Fit & Fine: Shannon LaNier

Education Facts

Politics Facts

Popular Topics

Arts Facts