Robert W. Bogle

Bo Diddley is born.

Bo Diddley was born Ellas Bates on Sunday December 30th 1928 on a small farm near the town of McComb, Mississippi, USA, in rural Pike County, close to the Louisiana border, the only child of Ethel Wilson and Eugene Bates. He had 3 half-brothers and

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Dec

30

1928

George "Little Chocolate" Dixon betas Jack Skelly in New Orleans to win the worl

George Little Chocolate Dixon betas Jack Skelly in New Orleans to win the world featherweight title. While some African American citizens celebrate for two days, the New Orleans Times-Democrat says, It is a mistake to match a Negro and a white man ...to bring the races together on any terms of

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Sep

6

1892

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.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jan

7

2002

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.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

8

1990

University of South Carolina opened to all races

University of South Carolina opened to all races.Two Blacks B.A. Boseman and Francis L. Cardozo were elected to seven-man board of trustees.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Mar

3

1869

Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams

Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, the first African American quarterback to play in a Super Bowl game, is named MVP in Super Bowl XXII.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jan

31

1988

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

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Dec

27

1873

Attorney General George Williams

Attorney General George Williams sent a telegram to Acting Governor Pinchback, saying that the Black politician was recognized by the President as the lawful executive of Louisiana.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Dec

12

1872

Baseball Great Jackie Robinson born

In Cairo, Georgia on this date baseball great Jackie Robinson was born. The fifth African American to play major league baseball with a white team, Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, ending five decades of segregated baseball. At the time of his retirement in October 1972, Robinson is

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jan

31

1919

President Grant sent federal troops to Vicksburg,

President Grant sent federal troops to Vicksburg, Mississippi.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jan

5

1875

Blacks Protest Denial of Right to Vote

Blacks held a mass meeting in Philadelphia to protest the action of the Pennsylvania Reform Convention of 1837 which denied them the right to vote.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Mar

14

1838

premiere of "The Jeffersons"

The Jeffersons premiered on television, one of the first sitcoms about an African-American family. Formerly neighbors of the Bunkers on All in the Family, the Jeffersons moved to Manhattans East Side.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jan

18

1975

1st Black Interstate organization

Boston Masons, led by Prince Hall, established first Black interstate organization, creating lodges in Philadelphia and Providence, Rhode Island.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jan

30

1797

One-Man Show of Art

One-Man Show of Art by Negro, First of Kind Here, Opens Today, read the headline of a front-page article in The New York Times on this day. The article announced the opening of Archibald J. Motley, Jrs show at the New Gallery on Madison Avenue. This was the first time in History that an artist had

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Feb

25

1928

Wally "Famous" Amos's signature panama hat and embroidered shirt are donated to

Wally Famous Amoss signature panama hat and embroidered shirt are donated to the National Museum of American Historys Business Americana collection. It is the first memorabilia added to the collection by An African American entrepreneur and recognizes the achievement of Amos who built his company

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Nov

18

1980

Lawrence Douglas Wilder of Virginia is inaugurated as the first African American

Lawrence Douglas Wilder of Virginia is inaugurated as the first African American to be elected governor in the U.S. Wilder won the election in Virginia by a mere 7,00 votes in a state once the heart of the Confederacy.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jan

13

1990

Willie D. Burton

Willie D. Burton becomes the first African American to win the Oscar for sound, for the movie Bird.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

11

1988

Miss America

Vanessa Williams is the 1st African American Miss America to be crowned.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Sep

17

1983

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.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Oct

17

1720

Charles Edward Anderson

In 1960, Charles Edward Anderson earned a Ph.D. in Meteorology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts. Charles Edward Anderson the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Meteorology; died today.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Oct

21

1994

Congressman William Gray

Congressman William Gray is elected Democratic Whip of the House of Representatives, the highest ranking leadership position ever held by an African American in Congress.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jun

14

1989

Harry Belafonte wins an Emmy

Harry Belafonte wins an Emmy for his variety special Tonight with Harry Belafonte. It is the first Emmy awarded to an African American.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jun

20

1960

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.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jan

31

1934

Network news anchor

Max Robinson is the first African American to anchor network news. The network is ABC.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

19

1978

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.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Sep

17

1970

On this day, Lorraine Hansberry's 'A Raisin in the Sun'opened at the Ethel Bar

On this day, Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Mar

11

1959

James Gladden 1st certified orthopedic surgeon

January 22, 1949 - James Robert Gladden becomes first African American certified in orthopedic surgery.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jan

22

1949

Absalom Jones, the first African American Episcopa

Absalom Jones, the first African American Episcopal priest ordained in the U.S. , dies.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Feb

13

1818

Larry Doby

Larry Doby is born. He will become the first African American in baseballs American League, playing for the Cleveland Indians. He will be the 1954 RBI leader.

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Dec

13

1924

Jan Earnest Matzeliger

Jan Earnest Matzeliger was born on September 15, 1852 in

fave

Source: Blackfacts.com

Sep

15

1852

BlackFacts Details

Robert W. Bogle

Cuisine Facts

Washington DC Facts

Popular Topics

Southern United States Facts

Women Facts

Science Facts

Arts Facts