Little Known Black History Facts
George Stinney, a 14-year-old Black boy who was executed in June 1944, the youngest person to be executed in the 20th century America, should never have faced the electric chair a circuit court judge ruled this past Wednesday. Stinney’s name has been cleared in the murder of two young white girls in a small […]
Andrew Young made history this week when President Jimmy Carter appointed him the first Black ambassador to the United Nations in 1976. The appointment took place on December 16, ending a promising career in the U.S. Congress but setting Young up for even greater achievements. Born March 12, 1932, in New Orleans, Young was […]
Gone With The Wind, the classic American antebellum romance film, is celebrating its 75th year this week. The movie yielded the first Academy Award given to a Black person after Hattie McDaniel notched the win in the Supporting Actress category. According to The Associated Press, a college professor has been researching older documents related […]
New York’s Amsterdam News is one of the most influential Black-owned media properties in the world. The paper is celebrating its 105th year in existence this month, and still remains a vital outlet for the Black community in Harlem and abroad. The paper’s founder, James H. Anderson, first published the Amsterdam News on December […]
Back in 1975, the National Association of Black Journalists was founded on this day in Washington, D.C.. Today, the NABJ is the largest organization representing journalists of color in the United States. The first NABJ Founders meeting took place at the Sheraton Park Hotel and featured 44 men and women journalists across a variety […]
Henry L. Marsh made history in 1977 by becoming the first Black mayor of Richmond, Va., but his achievements before then are also noteworthy. Marsh, who just celebrated his 81st birthday, is a prominent activist and champion of civil rights. Marsh was born December 10, 1933 under modest circumstances. His mother died when he […]
In the Netherlands, a holiday tradition is now accused of perpetuating a racist stereotype. The character of Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete,” originated in the 19th Century but has become a controversial figure in recent times. Black Pete’s origins are as murky as the reasoning for why the character exists, but some historians point […]
Jamaican swimmer Alia Atkinson made history over the weekend at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Doha, Qatar. Atkinson became the first Black woman to ever win a world swimming title and also claimed a new world record. Atkinson, who hails from Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, raced for her country in the 100m breaststroke […]
Azie Taylor Morton was the first and only African-American to hold the position of Treasurer of the United States. Despite hardships, Ms. Morton excelled by entering one of the highest offices in the land. Born February 1, 1936 in Dale, Texas, Morton worked in the cotton fields as a teen. Because Dale didn’t have any […]
Mary McLeod Bethune’s contributions to African-Americans are numerous. On this day in 1935, she used her power and influence to create the National Council of Negro Women to empower Black women and their communities. Today, the NCNW continues the mission that the great civil rights leader and educator began long ago. Bethune, the child […]
General Daniel James Jr. was the first four-star general of the United States Air Force. Although he nearly didn’t get the opportunity to serve his country, General James flew in a pair of wars and won several decorations before his historic moment. James was born February 11, 1920 in Pensacola, Fla. After graduating high […]
Cheryl Brown Hollingsworth broke the color line of the long-running Miss America beauty pageant in 1970 by becoming its first African-American contestant. Although she didn’t make the coveted top 10, she helped carve a pathway for women of color from that point on. Born Cheryl Adrienne Brown, the ballet dancer and teen model was […]
