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 7th
August 7, 1948
Alice Coachman
Alice Coachman, becomes the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the high jump during the Summer Games in London.
August 7, 1954
Charles H. Mahoney
Charles H. Mahoney was confirmed by the Senate and became the First Black to serve as a full delegate to the United Nations.
August 8, 1796
1796 – Boston African Society was Established
The Boston African Society was established with forty-four members.
August 8, 1805
The African Baptist Church Organized
The African Baptist Church is organized in Boston, Mass.
August 9, 1936
Jesse Owens wins four gold medals in the Berlin Olympics, 1936
Jesse Owens wins four gold medals in the Berlin Olympics, 1936.
August 9, 1961
James B. Parsons
James B. Parsons became first Black appointed to Federal District Court in continental United States.
August 10, 1981
PUSH Boycott
The Coca-Cola Bottling Company agreed to pump $34 million into Black businesses and the Black community, ending a national boycott called by PUSH.
August 11, 1965
Thurgood Marshall
U.S. Senate confirmed nomination of Thurgood Marshal as U.S. Solicitor General.
August 12, 1922
Frederick Douglas
Washington DC home of Frederick Douglas is declared a national shrine, 1922.
August 13, 1919
Charles Edward Anderson–Meteorologist
Born: August 13, 1919 Died: October 21, 1994 Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri Charles Edward Anderson was born on a farm in University City, near St. Louis, Missouri on August 13, 1919. He graduated as valedictorian from Sumner High School in 1937. He received a Bachelor of Science from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri in 1941. He was Certified in Meteorology (master’s degree) from the University of Chicago in 1943. Charles Anderson also earned a Master of Science in Chemistry in 1948 from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, New York. In 1960, Mr. Anderson earned a Ph.D. in Meteorology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts. Charles Edward Anderson was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Meteorology. Dr. Anderson worked at the Chief Cloud Physics Branch at the Air Force Cambridge Research Center, Massachusetts from 1948 to 1961. He served as a captain in the Army Air Forces in World War II and was the weather officer for the Tuskegee Airmen regiment, Tuskegee, Alabama.
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 for the Future is ours.
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