Our History

July 28, 1868 – 14th Amendment granting blacks full citizenship rights, becomes part of the Constitution. July 29, 1895 – First National Conference of Colored Women Convention is held in Boston. July 30, 1822 – James Varick becomes first bishop of African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. July 31, 1874 – Patrick Francis Healy inaugurated as president of Georgetown … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

July 21, 1896 – Mary Church Terrell elected first president of the National Association of Colored Women. July 22, 1939 – Jane M. Bolin of New York City, appointed first African American female judge. July 23, 1778 – More than 700 Blacks participate in Battle of Monmouth (NJ). July 24, 1807 – Shakespearean actor Ira Aldridge, born in New York City. July 25, 1916 – … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

July 14, 1955 – George Washington Carver Monument, first national park honoring an African American, is dedicated in Joplin, MO. July 15, 1867 – Maggie Lena Walker, first woman and first African American to become president of a bank. July 16, 1862 – Anti- lynching activist Ida B. Wells Barnett born. July 17, 1953 – Jesse D. Locker appointed U.S. Ambassador to … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

July 7, 1948 – Cleveland Indians sign pitcher Leroy “Satchel” Paige. July 8, 1943 – Faye Wattleton, first African American director of Planned Parenthood, born. July 9, 1893 – Dr. Daniel Hale Williams performs first successful open-heart operation. July 10, 1875 – Educator Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman College, born. July 11, 1905 – W.E.B. Dubois … [Read more...] about This Week In Black 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