The Guardian newspaper was founded by William Monroe Trotter in Boston, Massachusetts.
On this date in 1731, Almanac author, astronomer, surveyor, naturalist, farmer, and inventor of the first clock in America Benjamin Banneker was born in Elliot City, Maryland to a free African American woman and a former slave. Banneker had little formal education and was largely a self-educated mathematician, astronomer, compiler of almanacs and writer.
On this date in 1964, Zoologist Roger Arliner Young died. Ms. Young was the first African American woman to receive a doctorate degree in zoology.
On this date in 1970, politician William Levi Dawson, who represented Chicago, Illinois for more than 27 years in the United States House of Representatives, died.
On this date in 1956, Mattiwilda Dobbs become the first African American to sing a romantic lead at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Mattiwilda palyed Gilda in Rigoletto. Mattiwilda would go on to become one of the first African American singers to enjoy a major international career in opera.
On this date in 1868, Howard University opened their medical school with eight students and five faculty members. Among the eight students, seven were black and one was white. Out of the five faculty members, just one was black, Dr. Alexander Thomas Augusta — the first black Lieutenant Colonel and first Black surgeon in the U.S. Army.
on this date in 1922, American film and theater actress, singer and dancer Dorthy Dandridge was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Dorothy Dandridge was the first African American actress. She was also the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for best actress.
