Know Your History!
The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Primary emphasis was placed on encouraging the coordinated teaching of the history of American blacks in the nation’s public schools.
I think that many black people don’t celebrate their heritage or history in this country enough and conform and assimilate to the euro centric standard. How many black people know what tribe they descended from? How many black people celebrate Kwanzaa? How many black people know of Huey P. Newton, Alex Haley and others? How many black people know in detail of the Trans Atlantic Slave trade? Not many and not enough.
African-American Facts for Week of: October 18th
October 18, 1977
Ntozke Shange is born
Born Paulette Williams, she graduated from Barnard College in 1970, and later earned an MA from the University of Southern California. It was there she changed her name to the Zulu “Ntozke” meaning “she who comes with her own things” and “Shange” meaning “who walks like a lion.” Her best known work, for colored girls who have considered suicide, when the rainbow is enuf, was produced on Broadway and won an Obie Award in 1977.
October 18, 1945
Actor, singer, athelete and activist, Paul Robeson, receives Spingarn Medal, – 1945
Actor, singer, athelete and activist, Paul Robeson, receives Spingarn Medal, 1945. Paul Leroy Robeson (April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976) was an American singer and actor who became involved with the Civil Rights Movement. At Rutgers College, he was an outstanding football player, he also had an international career in singing, with a distinctive, powerful, deep bass voice, as well as acting in theater and movies. He became politically involved in response to the Spanish Civil War, fascism, and social injustices.
October 19, 1944
US Navy accepted black women, 1944
Negro Women were accepted in Women’s Reserve, U.S. Naval Reserve.The plan called for the immediate commissioning of a limited number of especially qualified Negro women to serve as administrative officers.
October 20, 1904
Enolia Pettigen McMillan born
Born October 20, 1904 in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Enolia Pettigen McMillan became the first female president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
October 21, 187 2
The first African American to enter the US Naval Academy.
The first African American to enter the US Naval Academy, was John H Conyers, in 1872.
October 21, 1917
Famed Musician, John Birks “Dizzy” Gilespie.
The famed musician, John Birks “Dizzy” Gilespie, born on this Date in1917. John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer and occasional singer.
October 22, 1936
Bobby Seale, Black Panther Co-founder, born
Birthday of Bobby Seale in Dallas, TX, co-founder and former chairman of the Black Panther Party. Robert George “Bobby” Seale (born October 20, 1936) is an American political activist. With Huey Newton he co-founded the Black Panther Party.
October 22, 1963
225,000 people boycott Chicago Public Schools
225,000 people boycott Chicago schools to protest segregation, in 1963. Many Chicago organizations that were part of the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations (CCCO) staged a school boycott. 250,000 students did not attend school, and at least 20,000 marched on the streets of Chicago.
October 23, 1947
The NAACP petitions the United Nations
The NAACP petitions the United Nations about racial injustices, on this Date in 1947.
October 24, 1964
Zambia proclaimed independent
Zambia proclaimed independent. The Zambia Independence Act 1964 (1964 c. 65) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which granted independence to Zambia.
October 24, 1892
In New Orleans, 25,000 Black workers strike.
In New Orleans, 25,000 Black workers participated in a strike on this Date in 1892.
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.
Comments, I can be reached at:
Twitter: @Annette92J
