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The first African American magazine, Mirror of Freedom, begins publication in Ne
The first African American magazine, Mirror of Freedom, begins publication in New York City.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
30
1838
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
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
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
John Singleton, Director
John Singleton,the first African American director to be nominated for the Academy Award is nominated for best director and best screenplay for his first film Boyz N the Hood.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Feb
19
1992
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
Zora Neale Hurston, writer/anthropologist born
Zora Neale Hurston
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Pride Academy
Jan
7
1891
The Flip Wilson Show premieres on NBC. It is the first prime time variety show
The Flip Wilson Show premieres on NBC. It is the first prime time variety show starring an African American male since the Nat King Cole Show.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by BARBinc
Sep
17
1970
Juanita Hall becomes the first African American
Juanita Hall becomes the first African American to win a Tony award for her role as Bloody Mary in the musical South Pacific.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Apr
9
1950
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
Composer and violinist, Clarence C White, dies, 1880
Composer and violinist, Clarence C White, born
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
10
1880
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
Jesse Jackson announces his candidacy for the office of President of the US
Jesse Jackson announces his candidacy for the office of President of the US
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
3
1983
Henry Lewis
On this day Henry Lewis becomes the first African American to lead a symphony orchestra in the United States.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Feb
15
1968
U.S. Supreme court Ruling
U.S. Supreme Court rules in Missouri that a state must provide equal educational facilities for Blacks within its boundaries. Lloyd Gaines, the plaintiff in the case, disappeared after the decision and was never located.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
12
1938
Mary Eliza Mahoney
Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first African American to graduate from a nursing school, graduates from the nursing program at the New England Hospital for Women and Children
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative
Aug
1
1879
Jonathan A. Rodgers becomes president of CBS's television stations division, the
Jonathan A. Rodgers becomes president of CBSs television stations division, the highest ranking African American in network television. Rodgers had been general manager of WBBM-TV, CBSs Chicago Station
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sep
3
1990
African American Women College Presidents
On July 1, 1987, for the first time in history, there were three African American women serving as Presidents of Four Year Colleges and Universities in America.They were - Dr. Niara Sudarkasa- President of Lincoln University in Pennslyvania; Dr. Johnetta Cole, President of Spelman College in
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jul
1
1987
Bureau of Census reports
Bureau of Census report said Black unemployment averaged 9.9 per cent in 1971, compared with a 5.4 per cent rate for whites. The report also said that 31.8 per cent of all Black families were headed by a woman, and increase from the 28 per cent reported in 1970.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jul
13
1972
Morgan State College is established in Baltimore, Md.
Morgan State College is established in Baltimore, Md.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
20
1938
Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm begins her campaign
Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm begins her campaign for President of the U.S.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies
Jan
25
1972
U.S. Supreme Court in landmark Brown v. Board of
U.S. Supreme Court in landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The unanimous decision was read by Chief Justice Earl B. Warren.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
May
17
1954
Selma Burke
Scupltor and educator Selma Burke was born on this day in Mooresville, North Carolina. She is commissioned to create a profile of President Franklin D. Roosevelt after a national competition sponsored by the Fine Arts Commission in Washington, D.C.; the completed project, a plaque, is unveiled and
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Eastern Bank
Dec
31
1900
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
The Black Madonna
The Black Madonna was painted by St. Luke the Evangelist (author of the Book of Luke); and it was while painting the picture, Marty told him about the life of Jesus, which was incorporated into his
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
326
In May of 1975, Aaron also surpassed Ruth's RBI mark. He finished his career w
In May of 1975, Aaron also surpassed Ruths RBI mark. He finished his career
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by New York University
Aug
1
1982
George H. White
George H. White, the only African American member of the U.S. House of Representatives, (1896) and the first to introduce an antilynching bill, born. He also founded Whitesboro, N,J, as a haven for African Americans escaping Southern racism.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
18
1852
Lewis Franklin Powell confirmed as Supreme Court
Lewis Franklin Powell confirmed as Supreme Court justice despite opposition of civil rights organizations.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Dec
6
1971
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
The Brooklyn Excelsiors is the first black baseballteam to tour the United Sta
The Brooklyn Excelsiors is the first black baseball team to tour the United States.
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Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
1860
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