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: April 5th
April 5, 1856
Booker Taliaferro Washington (Booker T. Washington)
Booker Taliaferro Washington (Booker T. Washington) was born on this day in Hale’s Ford, Virginia. Educator Booker T. Washington was one of the foremost African-American leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, founding the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, now known as Tuskegee University.
April 5, 1937
Colin Luther Powell
Colin Luther Powell was born on this day. Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under U.S. President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005, the first African American to serve in that position.
April 6, 1931
Scottsboro Boys Trial
First Scottsboro trial began in Scottsboro, Alabama. Trial of nine Black youths accused of raping two white women on a freight train.
April 7, 1940
The first U.S. stamp ever to honor an African American
The first U.S. stamp ever to honor an African American is issued bearing the likeness of Booker T. Washington.
April 8, 1960
SNCC organized
The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was organized on this date.
April 9, 1968
Events After Martin Luther King Jr’s Death
Martin Luther King Jr. buried. After funeral services at Ebenezer Baptist Church and memorial services at Morehouse College, Atlanta. More than 300,000 persons marched behind the coffin of the slain leader which was carried through streets of Atlanta on farm wagon pulled by two Georgia mules. Scores of national dignitaries, including Vice-President Humphrey, attended funeral. CORE and the Fellowship of Reconciliation sent twenty-three dignitaries. Ralph David Abernathy elected to succeed King as head of Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
April 10, 1968
Passing of Civil Rights Bill
U.S. Congress pass Civil Rights Bill banning racial discrimination in sale or rental of approximately 80 per cent of the nation’s housing.
April 11, 1881
Spelman College opened
Spelman College, an institution sponsored by John D. Rockefeller’s family, opened for Negro women in Atlanta, Georgia. It became the “Radcliffe and the Sarah Lawrence of Negro education.”
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
