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 13, 2014
December 13, 1944
Women’s Auxiliary Volunteers for Emerge
The first African American women complete officer training for the WAVES (Women’s Auxiliary Volunteers for Emergency Service). They had been admitted to the corps two months earlier.
December 13, 1903
Ella Baker
Ella Baker is born in Norfolk, Virginia. A civil rights worker who will direct the New York branch of the NAACP, Baker will become executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the 1960’s during student integration of lunch counters in the southern states. She also will play a key role in the formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and its voter registration drive in Mississippi.
December 14, 1968
Spingarn Medal: Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis Jr. awarded Spingarn Medal for his “superb and many-faceted talent,” and his contributions to the civil rights movement.
December 15, 1864
Blacks in Battle
In one of the decisive battles of the war, two brigades of Black troops helped crush one of the South’s finest armies at the Battle of Nashville. Black troops opened the battle on the first day and successfully engaged the right of the rebel line. On the second day Col. Charles R. Thompson’s Black brigade made brilliant charge up Overton Hill. Thirteenth U.S.C.T. sustained more casualties than any other regiment involved in the battle.
December 15, 1943
Spinarn Metal: William H. Hastie
Spingarn Medal presented to William H. Hastie “for his distinguished career as a jurist and as an uncompromising champion of equal justice.”
December 16, 1875
Institutions Of Higher Learning Established
Alabama A&M College, Knoxville College and Lane College established.
December 16, 1976
Andrew Young named Ambassador and Chief US Delegate to the United Nations
Andrew Young named Ambassador and Chief US Delegate to the United Nations.
December 17, 1991
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is named 1991 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.
December 18, 1865
The 13th Amendment
On December 18, 1865, the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery in the U.S., was ratified.
December 18, 1959
BLACKS IN UNION ARMY
BLACKS IN UNION ARMY: The 185,000 Black soldiers in the Union army were organized into 166 all Black regiments (145 infantry, 7 cavalry, 12 heavy artillery, 1 light artillery, 1 engineer). Largest number of Black soldiers came from Louisiana (24,052), followed by Kentucky (23, 703) and Tennessee (20,133). Pennsylvania contributed more Black soldiers than any other Northern state (8,612). Black soldiers participated in 449 battles, 39 of them major engagements. Sixteen Black soldiers received Congressional Medals of Honor for gallantry in action. Some 37,638 Black soldiers lost their lives during the war.
December 19, 1875
Carter G. Woodson founder of Black History Month
Carter G. Woodson founder of Black History Month is born. Carter G. Woodson was an African-American Historian, Author, Journalist and the Founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson was one of the first scholars to study African-American History and a founder of Journal of Negro History in 1916.
December 19, 1910
Institution of Higher Learning Founded
North Carolina College founded.
December 19, 1930
Sorority Founded
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, founded at Howard University in 1913, Incorporated.
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
