On August 25, 1886, the American National Baptist Convention (ANBC) was organized. It was a significant event in African American religious history, particularly within the context of Baptist denominations in the United States.

The ANBC was established as a response to tensions within the Baptist community, especially concerning issues of race and denominational divisions. Many African American Baptist churches, which had previously been part of the larger National Baptist Convention, chose to form a separate organization to address the needs of Black congregations more effectively and to create a space where African American religious leaders could address their specific concerns, such as racial inequality and autonomy within the Baptist church.

The formation of the ANBC was part of a broader trend of African American institutions establishing themselves apart from mainstream white-dominated institutions, reflecting both the racial challenges of the era and the desire for self-determination within the Black community. The organization grew over time and played an important role in promoting education, social justice, and religious leadership within the African American community.

James M. Nabrit Jr. was indeed appointed as an ambassador to the United Nations on August 25, 1961. He was an important figure in civil rights and law, becoming the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in the 1960s. His appointment was notable for his contributions to civil rights and his background as a prominent lawyer and educator.

Althea Gibson, the groundbreaking tennis player who became the first African American to win a Wimbledon singles title, was born on August 25, 1927. She made history in 1957 when she won Wimbledon, breaking significant racial barriers in the sport. She also won several other major titles, including the French Open and the U.S. Open, and is celebrated for her pioneering contributions to both tennis and racial integration in sports.

On August 25, 1925, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) was organized at a mass meeting held at the Elks Hall in Harlem. A. Philip Randolph, a key figure in labor and civil rights movements, was elected as the first president. The BSCP was significant because it was the first African American labor union to receive a charter from the American Federation of Labor (AFL). The union fought for better working conditions, pay, and rights for Black porters working on railroad sleeping cars.

Randolph’s leadership helped the union gain recognition and respect, and the BSCP became a symbol of Black workers’ fight for equality and justice in the workplace. The success of the BSCP was also a crucial moment in the broader civil rights movement, as it demonstrated the power of organized labor in advancing social change.

1886 was a tragic year in the history of racial violence in the United States, particularly against African Americans. The 74 reported lynchings of Black people that year highlight the systemic racial terrorism that was prevalent during the post-Reconstruction period. Lynching was used as a method of social control, often to intimidate African Americans and maintain the racial hierarchy that had been established during slavery. This violent practice was carried out by mobs and often went unpunished, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and injustice in many communities.

The years following the Civil War were marked by racial violence, with lynchings being just one form of widespread racial terror. The legacy of this violence still impacts the country today.

Kentucky State College (now known as Kentucky State University) was founded on August 25, 1886. It was established as a historically black college and has grown to become a public, coeducational university located in Frankfort, Kentucky. The institution was originally known as the Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored Persons, and it was founded to provide higher education and vocational training to African Americans in the region. Today, Kentucky State University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

On August 25, 1886, some six hundred delegates organized the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in the United States. The AFL was a federation of national unions focused on improving the working conditions, wages, and hours for skilled workers. Founded by Samuel Gompers, it was one of the most influential labor organizations in American history. The AFL advocated for better rights for workers, including the right to collectively bargain and form unions.

On August 25, 1862, during the Civil War, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton authorized Major General Rufus Saxton to enlist and arm up to 5,000 enslaved individuals. This decision was part of the broader efforts to enlist African Americans into the Union army. General Saxton was stationed in South Carolina, and his command included overseeing the recruitment of formerly enslaved people for military service. This was a significant step in the shift toward the official inclusion of African American soldiers in the Union Army, which would be formally recognized later with the creation of the United States Colored Troops in 1863.

Lucy Terry, an African-American woman, wrote “Bars Fight” in 1746, making it the earliest known poem written by an African-American. The poem was inspired by the violent ambush of two families by Native Americans in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Terry was a witness to the aftermath of this event, which deeply influenced her writing. The poem is considered an important historical document, both for its content and for its role in African-American literature history.

Lucy Terry’s work predates much of what we consider early American literature, and it’s a powerful example of African-American voices in colonial times.