On this date in 1951, the George Washington Carver National Monument, located in Joplin, Missouri, was established to honor the life and legacy of George Washington Carver, a prominent agricultural scientist and inventor. On July 14, 1951, it was officially presented as a National Monument, recognizing Carver’s contributions to agriculture, especially his development of crop rotation techniques and his work with peanuts, which helped improve the livelihoods of many farmers.

The monument preserves Carver’s childhood home and the surrounding area where he grew up, providing visitors with insight into his early life and the groundbreaking work he did. It also serves as an educational center and museum dedicated to his legacy in both science and social advocacy.

On this date in 1914, Marcus Garvey’s return to Jamaica marked the beginning of a transformative period for both him and the global Black community. After his extensive travels through Central America and Europe, Garvey arrived back in Jamaica with a vision that would ignite a powerful movement. On July 19, just five days after his arrival, he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).

The UNIA aimed to uplift people of African descent worldwide, advocating for unity, pride, and self-determination. Garvey’s movement was grounded in the belief that Black people should have their own independent institutions, separate from the oppressive systems imposed by colonial powers. The UNIA grew rapidly, becoming the largest independent Black organization of its time, with millions of members spanning across the Americas, the Caribbean, and beyond.

Through his leadership and the platform provided by the UNIA, Garvey became a powerful voice for Pan-Africanism, encouraging pride in African heritage and pushing for economic and political empowerment. His vision also extended to the creation of a powerful Black nation, with the “Back to Africa” movement gaining traction as a key part of his ideology.

The UNIA’s impact reached far beyond its official activities, shaping the discourse on race, identity, and self-reliance for generations to come.

On this date in 1948, during the Democratic National Convention, the Alabama and Mississippi delegations walked out in protest after the adoption of a “strong” civil rights plank in the party platform. This event was part of the larger political conflict surrounding civil rights in the United States during that period. The delegates from these two Southern states were against the civil rights measures, which included calls for anti-lynching laws, the end of segregation, and voting rights for African Americans. The walkout was a significant moment in the history of the Democratic Party, highlighting the tension between its Northern and Southern factions over racial issues. This ultimately led to the formation of the Dixiecrat Party, also known as the States’ Rights Democratic Party, which nominated Strom Thurmond for president in the 1948 election.

On this date in 1941, Maulana Karenga, originally named Ronald Everett, was born. He is best known as the founder of Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration of African heritage and culture observed from December 26 to January 1. Karenga is also a prominent scholar, activist, and professor, particularly in the fields of African American studies and Black cultural history. His work has had a significant impact on promoting Afrocentric identity and pride.

On this date in 1940, Peggy Jones, also known as Lady Bo, was indeed a trailblazer as Bo Diddley’s original girl guitar player. She made a significant impact in rock & roll by breaking barriers for women in the genre, especially at a time when female guitarists were rare. Her work with Bo Diddley helped shape the sound of early rock and roll. She’s definitely a key figure in the history of music!

On this date in 1891, inventor J. Standard (sometimes referred to as John Standard) was awarded a patent US455891A for his non-electrical refrigerator design. This refrigerator used an ice chamber for cooling, making it an important step in the development of refrigeration technology. His design was an improvement over earlier models and contributed to the evolution of refrigeration before the widespread use of electric-powered refrigerators.

It was one of the early innovations in household cooling technology, paving the way for future advances in refrigeration.

On this date in 1885, Sara E. Goode was awarded a patent 322,177 for the cabinet bed. The cabinet bed was an innovative piece of furniture designed to save space. It was a combination of a bed and a cabinet, allowing the bed to be hidden away inside a compact piece of furniture when not in use, making it especially useful in small living spaces. Goode is one of the first African American women to receive a patent in the United States. Her invention is a great example of creativity and practicality coming together.