Our History

June 30, 1921 – Charles S. Gilping awarded Spingarn Medal for his performance in Eugene O’Neill's Emperor Jones. July 1, 1889 – Frederick Douglass named U.S. Minister to Haiti. July 2, 1872 – Elijah McCoy patents his first self-lubricating locomotive engine. The quality of his inventions helped coin the phrase “The Real McCoy”. July 3, 1688 – The Quakers in … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

June 23, 1940 – Sprinter Wilma Rudolph, winner of three gold medals at the 1960 Summer Olympics, born. June 24, 1964 – Carl T. Rowan appointed the Director of the United States Information Agency. June 25, 1941 – Franklin D. Roosevelt issues executive order establishing Fair Employment Practice Commission. June 26, 1975 – Samuel Blanton Rosser becomes first African … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

June 9, 1995 – Lincoln J. Ragsdale, pioneer fighter pilot of World War II, dies. June 10, 1854 – James Augustine Healy, first African American Roman Catholic bishop, is ordained. June 11, 1912 – Joseph H. Dickson patents player piano. June 12, 1963 – Medgar W. Evers, civil rights leader, is assassinated in Jackson, MS. June 13, 1967 – Thurgood Marshall nominated … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

June 2, 1971 – Samuel L. Gravely, Jr., becomes first African American admiral in U.S. Navy. June 3, 1890 – L.H. Jones patents corn harvester. June 4, 1972 – Angela Davis acquitted of all murder and conspiracy charges. June 5, 1987 – Dr. Mae C. Jemison becomes first Black woman astronaut. June 6, 1831 – First annual “People of Color” convention held in … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

May 26, 1961 – Marvin Cook named ambassador to Niger Republic; first black envoy named by Kennedy Administration to an African nation. May 27, 1919 – Madame C.J. Walker, cosmetics manufacturer and first black female millionaire, died. May 28, 1948 – National Party wins whites-only election in South Africa and begins to institute policy of apartheid. May 29, 1901 – … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

May 5, 1988 – Eugene Marino becomes first African American installed as a Roman Catholic archbishop in the U.S. May 6, 1991 – The Smithsonian Institution approves the creation of the National African American Museum. May 7, 1878 – Joseph R. Winters patents first fire escape ladder. May 8, 1983 – Lena Horne awarded the Spingarn Medal for distinguished career in the … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

April 28, 1839 – Cinque leads mutiny off the coast of Long Island, NY. April 29, 1899 – Duke Ellington, jazz musician and composer, born. April 30 1952 – Dr. Louis T. Wright honored by American Cancer Society for his contributions to cancer research. May 1, 1867 – First four students enter Howard University. May 2, 1920 – Indianapolis ABCs defeat Chicago Giants in … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

April 21, 1966 – Pct. Milton L. Olive III awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for valor in Vietnam. April 22, 1922 – Jazz bassist and composer Charles Mingus born. April 23, 1895 – Clatonia Joaquin Dorticus patents photographic print wash. April 24, 1944 – United Negro College Fund Incorporated. April 25, 1918 – Ella Fitzgerald, “First Lady of Song”, … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

April 14, 1775 First abolitionist society in U.S. is founded in Philadelphia. April 15, 1964  Sidney Poitier becomes first Black to win Academy Award for Best Actor for Lilies of the Field. April 16, 1862 Slavery abolished in the District of Columbia. April 17, 1983  Alice Walker wins Pulitzer Prize for fiction for The Color Purple. April 18, … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History