Know Your History!
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 History for Week of: August 16th
August 16, 1963
First Black Artist to Design a U.S. Postage Stamp
On sale this day was a stamp designed to commemorate the one-hundreth anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was designed by George Olden which made him the first Black to design a U.S. postage stamp.
August 17, 1981
Father of Black Nationalism Born
Marcus Garvey, the father of the Black Nationalist and pan African movements was born on this day in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica.
August 18, 1963
The first Black person admitted to the University of Mississippi, James Meredith
The first Black person admitted to the University of Mississippi, James Meredith, graduates from University of Mississippi, 1963.
August 18, 1964
South Africa banned from Olympic Games
South Africa was banned from the Olympic Games because of its apartheid policies.
August 19, 1954
Ralph J. Bunche
Diplomat and first Black winner of Nobel Peace Prize, Ralph J Bunche, named undersecretary of the United Nations, 1954.
August 19, 1958
Sit-ins at Oklahoma City Lunch counters
Members of NAACP Youth Council began series of sit-ins at Oklahoma City Lunch counters.
August 20, 1954
Spingarn Medal: Charles R. Drew
Spingarn Medal presented to Charles R. Drew “who set up and ran the blood plasma bank in the Presbyterian Hospital in New York City which served as one of the models for the widespread system of blood banks now in operation for the American Red Cross.”
August 21, 1943
Harriet M. West was the first Black woman major in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC).
August 22, 1979
Two hundred Black leaders met in New York.
Two hundred Black leaders, meeting in New York, expressed support for Andrew Young and demanded that Blacks be given a voice in shaping American foreign policy.
August 22, 1989
Huey P. Newton killed
Black Panther Party Co-founder Huey P. Newton was gunned down by a member of the Black Guerila Family drug ring.
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
