On December 20, 1988, Max Robinson, the first African American man to anchor a nightly network newscast, passed away at the age of 49 due to complications from AIDS. ?Encyclopedia
Career Highlights:
Breaking Racial Barriers: Robinson began his television career in 1959 at WTOV-TV in Portsmouth, Virginia. Initially, he was required to read the news behind a screen to hide his race. Defying this, he had the screen removed during a broadcast and was subsequently fired the next day. ?AIDS Monument
Washington, D.C.: In 1969, Robinson joined WTOP-TV (now WUSA-TV) in Washington, D.C., becoming the first African American anchor on a local television news program. His work there earned him significant recognition. ?The Commonwealth Times
ABC World News Tonight: In 1978, Robinson co-anchored ABC’s “World News Tonight” alongside Frank Reynolds and Peter Jennings, marking his place as the first African American to anchor a nightly network news broadcast. ?BlackPast.org
Personal Struggles and Legacy: Throughout his career, Robinson faced challenges, including battles with alcoholism and depression. He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988 but chose to keep his illness private. His family later revealed his diagnosis to raise awareness about the disease within the African American community. ?Los Angeles Times
Robinson’s pioneering efforts paved the way for future generations of African American journalists, leaving a lasting impact on the field of broadcast journalism.
On December 20, 1983, Julius “Dr. J” Erving scored his 25,000th career point, becoming the ninth professional basketball player to reach this milestone. This achievement highlighted his prolific scoring ability and solidified his legacy as one of basketball’s all-time greats. Over his 16-season career in both the ABA and NBA, Erving amassed a total of 30,026 points, ranking him eighth on the all-time scoring list.
On December 20, 1981, the musical Dreamgirls premiered at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre. The production ran for over three years, totaling 1,521 performances before closing on August 11, 1985. The original cast featured Jennifer Holliday as Effie Melody White, whose powerful performance earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. ?Fine Arts Building
In addition to Dreamgirls, another significant Black musical of the 1980s was The Gospel at Colonus, which premiered in 1983. This innovative adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus reimagined the Greek tragedy within the framework of a Black Pentecostal church service, blending classical themes with gospel music.?Wikipedia
These productions highlight the rich contributions of Black artists to Broadway during the 1980s, showcasing diverse stories and musical styles that have left a lasting impact on American theater.
On December 20, 1956, the African American community in Montgomery, Alabama, voted to end their 381-day bus boycott following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision declaring bus segregation unconstitutional. This landmark ruling led to the integration of Montgomery’s public transportation system on December 21, 1956, marking a significant victory in the Civil Rights Movement.
On this day, Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the first influential Black poets in American literature, published his debut poetry collection, Oak and Ivy. At just 21 years old, Dunbar self-published the book and sold copies while working as an elevator operator in Dayton, Ohio. Oak and Ivy showcased both standard English and dialect poems, reflecting the duality of his experience as a Black man in America. His work helped pave the way for future generations of African American writers.
Jefferson Franklin Long of Macon, Georgia, became the first African American from Georgia elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He won a special election to fill an unexpired term in the 41st Congress. A formerly enslaved man, Long was also the second African American to serve in Congress overall.
His election took place during Reconstruction, a time of fierce resistance to Black political participation. Georgia Democrats regained control of the state through a campaign of violence and voter intimidation, highlighting the severe challenges Black politicians faced even after emancipation.
Robert H. Wood, born in 1844 to Susie Harris, an African American housekeeper, and Dr. Robert Wood, a white physician and former mayor of Natchez, Mississippi, was a significant political figure during the Reconstruction era. In 1869, Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn appointed Wood as mayor of Natchez. He was subsequently elected to the position in 1870, becoming one of the first African American mayors in the United States. ?BlackPast.org
During his tenure, Wood prioritized education by establishing Natchez’s first school for African American children in 1871. After serving as mayor until 1871, he continued his public service as postmaster and tax collector for the city. In 1875, Wood was elected Sheriff of Adams County, Mississippi. ?Wikipedia
Wood’s election was part of the “Black and Tan Revolution,” a period between 1868 and 1875 when African Americans were elected to various state offices in Mississippi. His contributions to public service and education have left a lasting legacy in Natchez.
Founded: 1870
Location: Columbia, South Carolina Wikipedia
Background: Established by ministers of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church as Payne Institute, the school was later renamed in honor of Richard Allen, founder of the AME Church. Its mission was to provide education to freed African Americans. Wikipedia
Founded: 1870?
Location: Columbia, South Carolina?
Background: Founded by the American Baptist Home Mission Society as Benedict Institute, the college aimed to educate emancipated African Americans. It was named after Stephen Benedict, a philanthropist from Rhode Island who provided financial support for its establishment. ?ThoughtCo
Founded: 1862 (as Lincoln Chapel); became LeMoyne Normal and Commercial School in 1871 LeMoyne-Owen College
Location: Memphis, Tennessee Allen University
Background: Initially established by the American Missionary Association (AMA) as Lincoln Chapel to educate freedmen and escaped slaves during the Civil War. In 1870, Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne donated funds to the AMA, leading to the school’s renaming in his honor in 1871. LeMoyne-Owen College
While all three institutions share the founding year of 1870, specific records confirming their establishment on December 20 are not readily available. These colleges have played significant roles in providing education and opportunities to African American communities since their inception.?
On this day, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the United States, a key event leading to the American Civil War. The decision was driven largely by the desire to preserve the institution of slavery, which was deeply embedded in the Southern economy and society.
South Carolina’s secession signaled the beginning of a national crisis over slavery and states’ rights. Within months, 10 more Southern states would follow, forming the Confederate States of America. This chain of events ultimately led to a war that resulted in the abolition of slavery—but also in the deaths of over 600,000 people and a long legacy of racial inequality.
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