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: August 30th
August 30, 1838
The first African American magazine, Mirror of Freedom, begins publication
The first African American magazine, Mirror of Freedom, begins publication in New York City.
August 30, 1966
Constance Baker Motley
Constance Baker Motley confirmed as U.S. district judge and became the first Black woman on the federal bench.
August 31, 1935
First black manager in Major League Baseball
On August 31, 1935, in Beaumont, Texas, U.S., American professional baseball player and manager Frank Robinson was born. He was the first black manager in major league baseball.
September 1, 1867
The first Black person to graduate from Harvard Dental School
The first Black person to graduate from Harvard Dental School is Robert T Freeman, 1867.
September 2, 1945
Blacks In Armed Services
A total of 1,154, 720 Blacks were inducted or drafted into the armed services. Official records listed 7,768 Black commissioned officers on August 31, 1945. At the height of the conflict 3,902 Black women (115 officers) were enrolled in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WACS) and 68 were in the Navy auxiliary, the WAVES. The highest ranking Black women were Major Harriet M. West and Major Charity E. Adams. Distinguished Unit Citations were awarded the 969th Field Artillery Battalion, the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion and the 332nd Fighter Group.
September 2, 1975
1st Black Supreme Court Justice
Joseph W. Hatchett sworn in as first Black supreme court justice in the South in the twentieth century.
September 3, 1868
Henry McNeal Turner
Henry McNeal Turner delivers a speech before the Georgia Legislature defending African Americans’ rights to hold state office.
September 4, 1923
George Washington Carver of Tuskegee Institute
George Washington Carver of Tuskegee Institute received the Spingarn Medal, the NAACP’s highest award, for distinguished research in agricultural chemistry.
September 4, 1957
Black students are banned from a Little Rock high school
Black students are banned from a Little Rock high school, by Arkansas governor Oval Faubus who calls out the National Guard, 1957
September 5, 1804
Absalom Jones
Absalom Jones was ordained a priest in the Protestant Episcopal Church.
September 5, 1895
George Washington Murray was elected to Congress
George Washington Murray was elected to Congress by South Carolina, 1895.
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
