On this date in 1876, Edward Mitchell Bannister, an acclaimed African American painter, was awarded the gold medal for his painting “Under the Oaks” at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. This was a significant achievement, especially for Bannister, who was one of the few African American artists to gain recognition in a predominantly white field during that era.

The Centennial Exposition was the first official World’s Fair in the United States, celebrating the nation’s 100th anniversary. Bannister’s victory was a major milestone, not only in his career but also in the history of African American contributions to the arts. His work often focused on landscapes and nature, with a particular emphasis on color and light, and his win helped cement his place in American art history.