On this date in 1915, Historian John Hope Franklin was born. He was a highly influential historian, scholar, and educator, best known for his work on African American history and the broader narrative of race in the United States.

His groundbreaking book, From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans, first published in 1947, remains one of the most important texts on African American history. Franklin’s work significantly shaped the study of U.S. history, emphasizing the integral role African Americans played in shaping the nation.

Beyond academia, Franklin was an advocate for civil rights, working alongside leaders like Thurgood Marshall during the legal battle that led to Brown v. Board of Education (1954). He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995, the highest civilian honor in the U.S.

His contributions left a lasting legacy in historical scholarship and social justice.