You may also like

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.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Museum of African American History in Massachusetts
Jan
7
2002
Politics
David Norman Dinkins began his first working day as mayor
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Boston Professional Chapter
Jan
2
1990
Thurgood Marshall
Born: 7/2/908 Baltimore, MarylandDied: /24/993 Bethesda, MarylandThurgood Marshall was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving from October 967 until October 99. Marshall was the Courts 96th justice and its first African-American justice.Business
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by APEX Museum
Death of Ezzard Charles (53,), former heavyweight
Death of Ezzard Charles (53,), former heavyweight boxing champion, in Chicago.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Boston Professional Chapter
May
27
1975
Clarence Reed White
Clarence Reed White invented a two-dimensional slide rule.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
0
James B. Parsons
James B. Parsons named chief judge of the Federal District Court in Chicago and became the first Black to hold that position.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Apr
18
1955
Pennsylvania becomes the first state to abolish
Pennsylvania becomes the first state to abolish slavery.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
1
1780
John H. Johnson, Editor and Publisher of JET
1918 : John H. Johnson, Editor and Publisher of JET and Ebony magazines, founder of Johnson Publishing Company, the most successful African American publishing company in the U.S., owner of Fashion Fair cosmetics, and the first African American owned radio station in Chicago, born
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative
Jun
19
1918
Baltimore Orioles manager Frank Robinson
Baltimore Orioles manager Frank Robinson is named assistant general manager of the club, the third African American to become as assistant GM.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Illinois Math and Science Academy
Jun
4
1991
Adams, Henry [Kentucky] (1802–1872)
Henry Adams was a prominent black Baptist minister and advocate for African American education who worked in Georgia and later in Louisville, Kentucky. Adams was born in Franklin County, Georgia in 1802.  He obtained a license to preach at the age of 18 and was ordained on October 29, 1825.  Adams
Read more
Source: Black Past
Oct
29
1825
Barbara Jordan: Elected to Congress
When Jordan was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972 she became the first African-American woman to represent a previously Confederate state in Congress.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Boston Professional Chapter
Nov
7
1972
J.H. Jackson
J.H. Jackson, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church, Chicago, elected president of the National Baptist Convention at Miami meeting.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Boston Professional Chapter
Sep
11
1953
Archibald Alphonso Alexander
Born: 5/14/1888 Ottumwa, IowaDied: 1/4/1958 Des Moines, IowaArchie Alphonso Alexander was an African-American mathematician and engineer. He was an early African-American graduate of the University of Iowa and the first to graduate from the University of Iowas College of EngineeringBusiness
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Killings in Civil Rights demonstrations
Jonathan M. Daniels, white Episcopal seminary student from Massachusetts, killed and Richard F. Morrisroe, white Roman Catholic priest from Chicago, seriously wounded by shotgun blasts fired by white special deputy sheriff in Hayneville, Alabama. They were participating in civil rights
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Aug
12
1965
Boxer Leon Spinks born
Olympic boxing champion Leon Spinks was bornin St. Louis, Missouri. Spinks won the heavyweight championship from Muhammad Ali in February 1978. Seven months and one day later, Ali regained the title.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
1999
Frederick McKinley Jones
Born: 5/17/1893 Cincinnati, OhioDied: 2/21/1961 Minneapolis, MinnesotaFrederick McKinley Jones was an African-American inventor, entrepreneur, winner of the National Medal of Technology, and inductee of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. His innovations in refrigeration brought great improvement
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Scottsboro Boys Falsely Accused
The Scottsboro Boys, nine young African Americans, were falsely charged with rape and collectively served more than 100 years in prison. The right of African Americans to serve on juries was established by their case.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
25
1931
Congress bans the slave trade
Congress banned the slave trade, prohibiting the importation of slaves into the United States or the territories thereof after January 1, 1808.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
1
1808
White Democrats attacked Republicans at Yazoo
White Democrats attacked Republicans at Yazoo City, Mississippi. One white and three Blacks were killed.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sep
1
1875
Dr. Frantz O. Fanon author, dies
Dr. Frantz O. Fanon author, dies in Washington, D.C.. He penned Black Skins, White Masks, and Wretched of the Earth
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by BARBinc
Dec
6
1961
Lorraine Hansberry, born
Birth date of playwright Lorraine Hansberry, who was born in Chicago. Her only two plays, A Raisin in the Sun and The Sign in Sidney Bursteins Window, became famous.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Boston Professional Chapter
May
19
1930
The French And Indian War
Black Troops in the French and Indian War: Even before the Revolutionary War, a pattern had been established in British colonies whereby African Americans were enlisted to defend the colonies when they were attacked, but were excluded from military service in times of peace. When Major General
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Mar
9
2002
Charles Chesnutt Born
Charles Chesnutt, one of the first African-Americans to gain a national audience, is born in Cleveland Ohio.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jun
20
1858
Rev. Samuel Thomas begins teaching slaves in the firstknown school for blacks
Rev. Samuel Thomas begins teaching slaves in the firstknown school for blacks in the US, Goose Creek Parsh, Charleston SC.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Jan
0
1695
Truman sends Congress Anti-Lynching Message
President Truman sent Congress a special message urging adoption of a civil rights program, including a fair employment practices commission and anti-lynching and anti-poll tax measures.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies
Feb
2
1948
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., politician and civil rights activist was born in New Haven CT
Congressman Clayton Powell, Jr., politician and civil rights activist was born in New Haven, Conn.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Nov
29
1908
Fourteenth Amendment
U.S. Supreme Court decision in Slaughterhouse cases began process of diluting the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court said the Fourteenth Amendment protected federal civil rights, not Civil rights heretofore belonging exclusively to the states.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Apr
14
1873
NAACP founded
Founded in 1909 in New York City by a group of black and white citizens committed to social justice, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nations largest and strongest civil rights
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Sponsored by National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Boston Metropolitan Chapter
Feb
12
1909
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson appears on the cover of Life magazine; first time an African American is featured on the cover in the magazines 13 year history
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
May
10
1950
Samuel Ringgold Ward, minister, abolitionist,
Samuel Ringgold Ward, minister, abolitionist, author, born on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Read more
Source: Blackfacts.com
Oct
17
1817
More from Black Then
Black Then | Alexander Pierre Tureaud, Sr: Renowned Attorney Known as Mr. NAACP
Black Then | Phillis Wheatleys, Brought From Africa to America Poem
Black Then | Daniel Payne: First African-American President of a U.S. University
Black Then | Clarence Franklin: Civic Leader The Man With the Million Dollar Voice
Black Then | June 3, 1949: Wesley Anthony Brown Became First African American Graduate of U.S. Navy Academy
Black Then | James Augustine Healy: First African American Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church
Black Then | Ethel Ray Nance: Broke Racial and Gender Barriers in Minnesota
Black Then | Dr. Charles Watts: North Carolinas First African-American Surgeon
Black Then | Gertrude Pocte Geddes-Willis: One of the First Black Female Funeral Directors in New Orleans
Black Then | The Kissing Case: A Simple Kiss On The Cheek That Made Civil Rights History And Shattered The Lives of Two Innocent 9 Year Old Boys
Black Then | [Video]Minister Thomas Whitfield: The Maestro
Black Then | Author Poet Gwendolyn Brooks, a song in the front yard Poem
Mantan Moreland: Comedic Actor During the 1930s & 1940s
Rene Metoyer: Attorney & Louisiana’s First Black Notary Public
Two Headed Nightingale: The Enslaved Conjoined Twins Forced To Perform In Sideshows Who Became Famous Entertainers That Performed For British Royalty
Flash Black Photo: African American Bricklayers Union, 1899
Richard Riker And The New York Kidnapping Club: The Racist History Behind Riker’s Island
White Supremacy and the Democratic Party’s Dark Past
Rev. Avery C. Alexander: Influential Leader in the Struggle for Civil Rights for Louisiana
Dudley Randall: Founded the Publishing Company Broadside Press
Allen Lawrence Young: Educator & Founder of the Wake Forest Normal and Industrial School for Negroes
Documentary Short: The Million Man March [VIDEO]
David Ruggles, America’s First Afro-African Bookseller, Opened a Bookstore Near Broadway In 1834
Fannie Richards: First African-American School Teacher in the City of Detroit
Martha Jean “The Queen” Steinberg: First African American Female to Own a Radio Station
Rufus Atwood: Leading Academic Educator
Henry D. Marrow: 1970 Racial Killing in Oxford, North Carolina
Eva Jessye: The Grand Dame of Black Music in America
Thomy Lafon: Shrewd Businessman and Philanthropist
Ruth Simmons: First Black President of an Ivy League Institution
Curlee Brown, Sr: Early Pioneer and Fearless Warrior in the Struggle for Human Rights
Basil A. Paterson: Influential Harlem Labor Lawyer and Politician
Black Woman Schools Uninformed English Man About the Harsh Aftermath of Slavery (VIDEO)
David Bryant Fulton: Black Polemicist and Author
Daniel G. Hill: Human Rights Specialist, Historian & Public Servant
Jacob Dobson: First Known Person of African Descent in Nevada
Roy DeCarava: Great American Artist and Photographer of Harlem, New York
Hall Johnson: Violinist, Composer & Musical Director in New York and Hollywood
National Negro Health Week: Formed to Educate Black Communities on Proper Health Practices
Vincent Tubbs: First African American to Head a Motion Picture Industry Union
Venture Smith: The Black Paul Bunyan
Coretta Scott King: Her Activism and Legacy
Alfonso Elder: Second President of North Carolina College (North Carolina Central University)
Flash Black Photo: Pearl Bailey | Legends of Film Series
Black History Observed Through Genetic Makeup, According To Research
A Place All Our Own: The Highland Beach Resort, The First Black Owned Beach Resort Town In The United States
Judge Israel Augustine Jr: First Black District Judge in Louisiana & Civil Rights Activist
Lucy Harth Smith: Pioneer Activist and Educator
Frank Petersen, First African American To Become A Marine Aviator
Hadda Brooks: African-American Entertainer Extraordinaire

Literature Facts

New York City Facts

Spirituality Facts

American Civil War Facts

Lifestyle Facts