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 to every field of endeavor, including politics, science, culture, social causes, arts, literature, athletics and the economy.
African-American Facts for Week of: December 6, 2015
December 6, 1869
National Black Labor Convention
National Black labor convention met in Washington.
December 6, 1869
Colleges and Universities Founded
Among the colleges and universities founded in 1869 were Clark, Claflin, Dillard and Tougaloo Colleges.
December 7, 1941
Dorie Miller Messman on USS Arizona
Dorie Miller of Waco, Texas, messman on USS Arizona, manned machine gun during Pearl Harbor attacks and downed four planes. He was awarded the Navy Cross.
Doris “Dorie” Miller (October 12, 1919 – November 24, 1943) was a Messman Third Class in the United States Navy noted for his bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the third highest honor awarded by the U.S. Navy at the time, after the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.Doris “Dorie” Miller (October 12, 1919 – November 24, 1943) was a Messman Third Class in the United States Navy noted for his bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the third highest honor awarded by the U.S. Navy at the time, after the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.Doris “Dorie” Miller (October 12, 1919 – November 24, 1943) was a Messman Third Class in the United States Navy noted for his bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the third highest honor awarded by the U.S. Navy at the time, after the Medal of Honor and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.
December 8, 1936
Spingarn Metal: John Hope
Spingarn Medal presented to John Hope posthumously for his achievement as president of Morehouse College and for his creative leadership in the founding of the Atlanta University Center.
December 8, 1936
NAACP – Gibbs v. Board of Education
NAACP filed first suit in campaign to equalize the salaries of Black and white teachers.
Gibbs v Board of Education in Montgomery County, Md., was the first of a succession of suits that eliminated wage differentials between Black and white teachers.
December 9, 1971
Bill Pickett – African-American Cowboy
Bill Picket became the first Black Elected to the National Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.
December 9, 1976
Tony Dorsett is awarded the Heisman Trophy.
Tony Dorsett is awarded the Heisman Trophy.
December 10, 1950
Dr. Ralph J. Bunche is the first African-American to be awarded the Noble Peace Prize.
December 11, 1961
Langston Hughes’ musical, Black Nativity, opened on Broadway. Black Nativity is a retelling of the classic Nativity story with an entirely black cast. Traditional Christmas carols are sung in gospel style, with a few songs created specifically for the show.
December 11, 1961
U.S. Supreme Court Reversed Conviction
U.S. Supreme Court reversed conviction of sixteen sit-in students who had been arrested in Baton Rouge.
December 12, 1963
Kenya
Kenya proclaimed independent.
December 12, 1995
Willie Brown defeats incumbent mayor Frank Jordan to become 1st African American Mayor of San Francisco.
About Annette
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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Twitter: @Annette92J
