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

April 7, 1885 Granville T. Woods patents apparatus for transmission of messages by electricity. April 8, 1974  Atlanta Braves slugger Hank Aaron hits 715 home run, surpassing Babe Ruth as the game’s all-time home-run leader. April 9, 1898 Paul Robeson, actor, singer, activist, born. April 10, 1947  Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson becomes first … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

March 31, 1988  Toni Morrison wins Pulitzer Prize for Beloved. April 1, 1950 – Charles R. Drew, who developed techniques for processing and preserving blood, died. April 2, 1984 Georgetown coach John Thompson becomes first Black coach to win NCAA basketball tournament. April 3, 1826  Poet-orator James Madison Bell, author of the Emancipation Day poem … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

March 24, 1837 Canada gives African American citizens the right to vote. March 25, 1843 Explorer Jacob Dodson sets out in search of the Northwest Passage. March 26, 1872 Thomas J. Martin patents fire extinguisher. 1911 – William H. Lewis becomes U.S. assistant attorney general. March 27, 1930 Of the 116,000 African Americans in professional positions, more … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

March 10, 1913 Harriet Tubman dies. March 11, 1959 Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin In the Sun” opens at Barrymore Theater, New York, the first play by a Black woman to premier on Broadway. March 12, 1932  Andrew Young, former U.N. ambassador and former mayor of Atlanta, born. March 13, 1773 Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable, black pioneer and explorer, … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

March 3, 1865 Freedman’s Bureau established by federal government to aid newly freed slaves. March 4, 1965  Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics honored as NBA most valuable player for fourth time in five years. March 5, 1770 Crispus Attucks becomes one of the first casualties of the American Revolution. March 6, 1857  U.S. Supreme Court issues … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History

February 24, 1922 The home of Frederick Douglass made a national shrine. February 25, 1853  First Black YMCA organized in Washington, D.C. February 26, 1965  Civil rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson died after being shot by state police in Marion, AL. February 27, 1988  Debi Thomas becomes first Black to win an Olympic medal in figure … [Read more...] about This Week In Black History