December 26, 1894 – Jean Toomer, author of Cane, was born.
December 27, 1862 – African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is founded in New Bern, North Carolina.
December 28, 1905 – Earl “Fatha” Hines, “Father of Modern Jazz Piano”, was born.
December 29, 1924 – Author, sportswriter A.S. “Doc” Young was born.
December 30, 1842 – Congressman Josiah Walls was born.
December 31, 1930 – Odetta, blues and folk singer, was born.
January 1, 1863 – President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation
