On July 26, 1926, Carter G. Woodson was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” received the prestigious award for his pioneering work in African American history and his efforts to establish Black History Month. He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) in 1915 and promoted the study and recognition of African American contributions to history. His work continues to influence the way African American history is studied and celebrated today.

July 26, 1847, marks the day Liberia declared its independence, becoming the first independent republic in Africa. The country had been founded by freed American slaves through the American Colonization Society, which had been sending freed African Americans to settle there since 1822. Liberia’s independence declaration on July 26, 1847, followed the drafting of its constitution, and it remains a significant day of celebration in the country to this day.

Liberia’s Independence Day is often marked with patriotic celebrations, including parades, ceremonies, and events reflecting the country’s history and achievements.

On July 26, 1926, the National Bar Association (NBA) was incorporated. It is the largest and oldest network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges in the United States. The NBA was founded to provide a space for African American lawyers to support each other and advocate for justice and equality, especially during a time when racial discrimination was prevalent in the legal system. The association continues to work toward its mission of advancing the legal profession and promoting equal rights and justice for all.

The race riot that occurred in Philadelphia on July 26, 1918, was part of a wave of racial tensions and violence in the U.S. during that time. It was sparked by a confrontation between Black and white residents in the city’s Point Breeze neighborhood. Tensions were exacerbated by the ongoing migration of Black Americans from the South to northern cities, along with competition for jobs and housing during World War I.

The riot led to violent clashes between the groups, resulting in the deaths of at least three white individuals and one Black person. The violence also caused significant property damage and heightened racial animosity in the area. It was one of many such incidents during the Red Summer of 1919, when race riots erupted in various parts of the U.S.

Spottiswood W. Robinson, born on July 26, 1916, was an American educator and innovator in the field of education. He was particularly influential in the development of new methods for teaching and was known for his contributions to various educational programs. His work helped shape the way teachers approached their classrooms and how students engaged with learning.

Spottiswood W. Robinson was also an influential figure in the legal and civil rights movements. As a representative of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, he played a crucial role in advocating for racial justice. He also served as the dean of Howard University Law School, a key institution for African American legal education, and was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. His appointment by President Lyndon B. Johnson as a U.S. Circuit Judge of the D.C. Circuit was a significant achievement in his distinguished career. Robinson’s contributions were vital to the advancement of civil rights and legal reform in the United States.

On July 26, 1865, Patrick Francis Healy became the first African American to be awarded a Ph.D. He earned his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Berlin in Germany. Healy was born into a mixed-race family and was raised in Georgia. His educational journey was marked by remarkable achievements, considering the racial climate of the time.

Healy’s academic success was groundbreaking, not only because of the barriers Black Americans faced in academia but also because he was born to a white father and an enslaved Black mother. Healy went on to have a distinguished career, serving as president of Georgetown University from 1874 to 1882, where he played a role in its growth and development during that period.

His achievements were a significant step forward for Black scholars and left a lasting legacy in higher education.

Frederick Douglass was indeed a key figure in the first Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. While he is best known for his work as an abolitionist, Douglass also strongly supported women’s rights, including suffrage. At the convention, he was the only man to take a prominent role, and he notably seconded the motion for women’s suffrage that was introduced by Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Douglass was a passionate advocate for equality and saw the fight for women’s rights as deeply connected to the abolition of slavery. His support at Seneca Falls helped lend credibility to the movement and showed the intersection of struggles for freedom and equality for both African Americans and women.

On July 26, 1847, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, the first native-born President of Liberia, declared the country an independent republic. Liberia, founded by freed American slaves, had been under the control of the American Colonization Society before achieving independence. The declaration marked a significant moment in the nation’s history, as it became Africa’s first republic, and it also set a precedent for other nations on the continent. Liberia’s independence day is still celebrated annually on July 26.