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Death of Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey
Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey, founder of gospel music died in Chicago, Illinois. He was a prolific composer, performer and recording artist. His signature songs Take my Hand Precious Lord and Peace in the Valley have become gospel music traditionals that have been recorded by many
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
23
1993
William A. Harper
William A. Harper, student of Henry O. Tanner at the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the most gifted African American artist of the early 20th century, born
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
27
1873
Samuel L. Gravely is born
Samuel Gravely was appointed captain of the Navy Destroyer Escort, U.S.S. Falgout, the first African American to command a United States warship. He later received the rand of Rear Admiral, a first for an African American navyman.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
4
1922
Carol Mosely Braun
Carol Mosely Braun, a Democrat from Illinois, becomes the 1st African American woman elected to the United States Senate.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
3
1992
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
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Feb
12
1930
John Roy Lynch, served in the 43rd, 44th, and 47th Congresses representing the S
John Roy Lynch, served in the 43rd, 44th, and 47th Congresses representing the State of Mississippi as a Republican, born. He also presided as a temporary chairman over the Republican National Convention of 1884 and was the first African American to deliver the keynote address.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA)
Sep
10
1847
Through the 3 White Democrats and police attacked
Through the 3 White Democrats and police attacked freedmen and their white allies in Memphis, Tennessee. Forty-six Blacks and two white liberals were killed. More than seventy were wounded. Ninety homes, twelve schools and four churches were burned.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
May
1
1866
COINTELPRO Memorandum
A memorandum sent to field offices of the FBI set goals for what was termed as a new counterintelligence program against African American Nationalist groups. The objective was to block attempts by targeted groups to coalesce, grow and exist. The agencey believed unity was the first step toward
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
3
1968
The Chip Woman's Fortune by Willis Richardson
The Chip Womans Fortune by Willis Richardson, the first dramatic work by an African American playwright to be mounted on Broadway, opens at the Frazee Theatre on Broadway
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by APEX Museum
May
15
1923
Congress repeals the Enforcement Act
Congress repeals the Enforcement Act which makes it easier for some states to disenfranchise African American voters.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Feb
8
1894
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.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Eastern Bank
May
1
1902
Percy Julian, developer of drugs to combat glaucom
Percy Julian, developer of drugs to combat glaucoma and methods to mass produce cortisone and George Washington Carver are the first African American Inventors admitted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in the halls 17-year history.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Apr
8
1990
Shirley Franklin is sworn in
Shirley Franklin is sworn in as the first African American Mayor of Atlanta and the only African American female mayor of a major American city.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Museum of African American History in Massachusetts
Jan
7
2002
Death of Congressman Ralph H
Death of Congressman Ralph H. Metcalfe (68), in Chicago.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Oct
10
1978
Rebecca J. Cole--2nd Black Female Physician
Born: March 16, 1846
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA)
Aug
14
1922
Former Saint Louis Cardinals first baseman Bill White is named president of the
Former Saint Louis Cardinals first baseman Bill White is named president of the National League. He is the first African American to head a major sports league.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by NSBE Boston
Feb
3
1989
Zena Garrison becomes the 1st African American player to win the junior singles
Zena Garrison becomes the 1st African American player to win the junior singles tennis championship at Wimbledon, England
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
4
1981
Race riot, Dixmoor, a Chicago suburb
Race riot, Dixmoor, a Chicago suburb. (8/15-16).
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
15
1964
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
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
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
6
1950
Violette Neatley Anderson
Violette Neatley Anderson is the first African American woman admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
29
1926
P.B.S. Pinchback elected president
P.B.S. Pinchback is elected president pro tem of the Louisiana Senate and acting lieutenant governor. He is the first African American to serve in these positions in state government.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Prospanica Boston Professional Chapter
Dec
6
1871
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
Dorothy Height born
Birthday of Dorothy Irene Height in Richmond, Virginia. Height, president of the National Council of Negro Women for more than three decades, organized a successful drive to place a statue of Mary McLeod Bethune in a District of Columbia park. Once erected, the statue became the first of an African
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
24
1912
The Cotton Bag Fort
A African American Designs The Cotton Bag Fort: When Andrew Jackson assembled his force at New Orleans, his soldiers, many of whom were African American slaves, were outnumbered by the British forces ten to one. Faced with this disadvantage, Jackson consulted with men as to what was the best
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Intellitech
Oct
2
2002
White firemen on Georgia Railroad struck to
White firemen on Georgia Railroad struck to protest employment of Blacks.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
May
17
1909
George Johnson
George and Noble Johnson founded the Lincoln Motion Picture Company in 1916. It was the first black-owned production company, it produced films exclusively for African
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
17
2001
Education
Sarah Thompson Garnet becomes the first African American female principal in the New York City public school system.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Boston Professional Chapter
Apr
30
1863
Pressure From Congress
Pressure From Congress: After the Union Army suffered a series of military defeats in 1861 and 1862, pressure mounted on Lincoln to use African Americans as soldiers. Once again African American soldiers came to the rescue of America. As Charles Summer put it: I do not say carry the war into
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
6
1861
Rev James Cleveland, the King of Gospel, is born in Chicago, Illinois
Rev James Cleveland, the King of Gospel, is born in Chicago, Illinois
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies
Dec
5
1931
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