Know Your History!
Up to the early 20th century, most American knowledge of Black history was limited to the African American struggle through slavery and emancipation. The significance of Black history is recognition of the advancements and accomplishments of a group of people once defined by the Constitution as three-fifths of a person. While slavery in America hosts the background of Black history, the African American impact on history reaches beyond the country’s early history, as African Americans have made significant contributions.
African-American Facts for Week of: April 26, 2015
April 26, 1991
Maryann Bishop Coffey
Maryann Bishop Coffey is named the first woman and the first African American co-chair of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
April 26, 1883
William Levi Dawson
William Levi Dawson is born, first African American representative to chair a committee in Congress.
April 27, 1927
Coretta Scott is born
Coretta Scott is born in Marion, Ala. She will marry Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1953 and be an integral part of his civil rights activities. After his assassination in 1968, she will continue her civil rights activities, founding the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Change in Atlanta, Ga.
April 28, 1941
Supreme Court Ruling for Separate and Equal
Supreme Court ruled in railroad Jim Crow case brought by Congressman Arthur Mitchell that separate facilities must be substantially equal.
April 28, 1967
President of YWCA
Mrs. Robert W. Claytor elected president of the YWCA, the first Black president of the organization.
April 29, 1992
First day of L.A riots, sparked by acquittal of four white cops
First day of L.A riots, sparked by acquittal of four white cops in the beating of Rodney King, which resulted in at least 50 deaths, thousands injured and estimates of up to $1 billion in property damage.
April 30, 1983
Robert C. Maynard
Robert C. Maynard becomes the first African American to gain a controlling interest in a major metropolitan newspaper when he buys the Oakland Tribune from Gannett.
May 1, 1941
Asa Philip Randolph issued a call for 100,000
Asa Philip Randolph, Labor Leader and Social Activist issued a call for 100,000 Blacks to march on Washington, D.C., to protest discrimination in the armed forces and war industries.
May 1, 1950
Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet, first Black awarded a Pulitzer Prize (poetry) in 1950.
Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet, first Black awarded a Pulitzer Prize (poetry) in 1950. Brooks was born in Topeka, Kansas but grew up in Chicago. She is a witty poet who satirizes blacks and whites and attacks racial discrimination. She uses black language and rituals to proclaim black solidarity.
May 2, 1845
Macon B. Allen
Macon B. Allen, first African American admitted to the bar in Massachusetts ; the previous year he was admitted to the bar in Maine making him the first licensed African American Attorney in the U.S.A.
May 2, 1968
Poor People’s March led by Ralph Abernathy
Poor People’s March led by Civil Rights Leader, Ralph Abernathy begins.
About Annette
It is important to celebrate the achievements and contributions Black Americans have played in U.S. history.
To me, the omission of any group from history teachings results in a limited understanding of history’s relationship with the present and future. Know your history.
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