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Blanche Kelso Bruce sworn in as a U.S. Senator.
Blanche Kelso Bruce was a US Senator from Mississippi; the first black man to serve a full term in the senate, and the first person born into slavery to preside over the senate. While serving in the senate, he was an advocate for civil rights for blacks, native Americans, Chinese immigrants and
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Source: Blackfacts.com
May
21
1881
Poet Jupiter Hammon born
Birthday of Jupiter Hammon, a writer and self-educated Calvinist, who was born a slave. Hammon is believed to be the first black poet published in the United States.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Oct
17
1720
Black students boycotted Public Schools
Three thousand Black students boycotted Boston public schools as protest against de facto segregation.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
18
1963
On October 2, 1937,Johnny L. Cochran, Jr. was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He
On October 2, 1937,Johnny L. Cochran, Jr. was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He became the noted controversial lawyer, who defended pro football star and actor, O.J. Simpson, in the infamous trial, for which Simpson was accused of killing wife and her friend. A member of the Dream Team.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Oct
2
1937
Adam Wade hosts the Nationally televised game show Musical Chairs. He is the fi
Adam Wade hosts the Nationally televised game show Musical Chairs. He is the first African American game show host.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
16
1975
Benjamin Banneker
Benjamin Banneker writes letter to then secretary of state Thomas Jefferson. The letter showed the hypocrisy of slavery. Banneker challenged the idea of freedom for whites as the ascribed it to be the same freedom that should be granted to Africans.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
19
1791
Declared State of Emergency
Governor James A. Rhodes declared state of emergency in Cleveland and dispatched National Guard troops to riot-torn Hough district.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jul
19
1966
Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe makes history by becoming the first African American male to win the mens single title at Wimbledon, defeating Jimmy Connors.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jul
5
1975
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)
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Apr
16
1973
MaliVai Washington
Former tennis pro MaliVai Washington was born on June 20, 1969 in Glen Cove, New
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
20
1969
Former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Ronald H Brown was appoint
Former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Ronald H Brown was appointed head of the Department of Commerce by President-elect Bill Clinton, 1993
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
1
1993
Miss America
Vanessa Williams is the 1st African American Miss America to be crowned.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by APEX Museum
Sep
17
1983
National Baptist Convention
These Baptist groups, the Foreign Mission Convention of the United States, the American National Baptist Convention, the Baptist National Education Convention, Merged and established the National Baptist Convention at an Atlanta meeting.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Eastern Bank
Sep
28
1895
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
Ambassador
Clifton Wharton is sworn in as ambassador to Norway. Clifton Wharton was the 1st Black person to earn a PhD in economics from University of Chicago in as well as the first Black president of Michigan State, predominantly White university.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
9
1961
John C. Freemont
John C. Fremont issued proclamation freeing slaves of Missouri rebels. Lincoln revoked the proclamation.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
30
1854
Ex-football star O.J. Simpson is cleared today of murdering his ex-wife Nicole B
Ex-football star O.J. Simpson is cleared today of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Oct
3
1995
Congressman William H. Gray is elected chairman
Congressman William H. Gray is elected chairman of the House Budget Committee, the highest congressional post held by an African American.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Illinois Math and Science Academy
Jan
4
1985
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.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
20
1988
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
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
3
2002
Supreme Court decision
Supreme Court decision (Nixon v. Herndon) struck down Texas law which barred Blacks from voting in white primary.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
7
1927
South Carolina constitutional convention
South Carolina constitutional convention, the first official assembly in the West with a Black majority, met in the Charleston Clubhouse with seventy-six Black delegates and forty-eight white delegates. Two-thirds of the Black delegates were former slaves. A New York Herald reporter wrote: Here in
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Christo Rey New York High School
Jan
14
1868
Frederick Douglass Escapes
Frederick Douglass, disguised as a sailor escapes from slavery
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by NSBE Boston
Sep
3
1838
Robert Weaver
Robert Weaver, born on this day, beacme the first Black appointed to a presidential cabinet when President Lyndon B. Johnson named him to head the newly created Departmentof Housing and Urban Development.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
29
1907
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
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, (born Cassius Clay) stands before the Supreme Court regarding his refusal of induction into the US Army during the Vietnam War(Clay v- United States). He is asked How can you be a pacifist opposed to the idea of
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies
Jun
28
1970
Did You Know That In...
1732 - Rhode Island Assembly repeals its duty tax on black slaves
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
1732
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
1961: Andrew hatcher is named associate press secretary to President John F. Ken
1961: Andrew hatcher is named associate press secretary to President John F. Kennedy.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Prospanica Boston Professional Chapter
Nov
10
1999
William Levi Dawson
William Levi Dawson is born, first African American representative to chair a committee in Congress.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Christo Rey New York High School
Apr
26
1883
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