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1
Jan

1914 - Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. officially incorporated.

Omega Psi Phi, the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically Black college, was incorporated on this day.... Continue →

1
Jan

1962 - James Meredith Begins School at the University of Mississippi

James Meredith became the first Black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi, marking a significant milestone in the American Civil... Continue →

2
Jan

1970 - United States population: 293,200,000

On this date in 1970, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, a prominent educator, minister, and civil rights leader, was named president of the Atlanta Board of... Continue →

2
Jan

1970 - Clifton Reginald Wharton becomes the new president of Michigan State University.

On this date in 1970, Clifton Reginald Wharton Jr. made history on January 2, 1970, when he became the president of Michigan State University (MSU).... Continue →

2
Jan

1915 - Historian, John Hope Franklin was born.

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... Continue →

2
Jan

1898 - Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander born

On this date in 1898, Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander was born on, in Philadelphia, PA, and she made history as a trailblazing African American woman... Continue →

3
Jan

1966 - Shooting of Civil Rights Activist

On this date in 1966, Sammy Younge Jr. was a 21-year-old civil rights activist and a student at Tuskegee Institute who was tragically shot and killed... Continue →

4
Jan

1990 - Student Boycott Over Superintendent Dismissal

Nearly 1,500 African American students in Selma, Alabama, boycotted classes to protest the dismissal of Norward Rousell, the city's first Black... Continue →

4
Jan

1958 - Archie A. Alexander passes away

Archie A. Alexander, architectural engineer and former governor of the Virgin Islands, died on this day in 1958 at the age of 69. He had been... Continue →

4
Jan

1901 - Birth of C.L.R. James

C.L.R. James, a Trinidadian historian, journalist, and socialist, was born on this day. He is best known for his influential work The Black Jacobins... Continue →

5
Jan

1943 - George Washington Carver Day

On January 5, 1943, George Washington Carver Day was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt following Carver’s death. This day honors the... Continue →

5
Jan

1911 - Founding of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Indiana University by Elder W. Diggs, Bryan K. Armstrong, John M. Lee, Harvey T. Asher, Marcus P.... Continue →

6
Jan

1867 - Establishment of the Peabody Fund

The Peabody Fund was established by philanthropist George Peabody to support education in the post-Civil War Southern United States, particularly for... Continue →

7
Jan

1950 - The James Weldon Johnson Collection opens at Yale

On this day, Yale University opened the James Weldon Johnson Memorial Collection of African American Arts and Letters at the Beinecke Rare Book &... Continue →

8
Jan

1989 - Oldest Integration Law Suit Settled

The original lawsuit was filed in 1952 by John Hall and supported by the NAACP, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education... Continue →

8
Jan

1836 - Birth of Fannie M. Jackson

Fannie M. Jackson (later Coppin), a trailblazing educator and missionary, was born. In 1865, she became the first African American woman to graduate... Continue →

23
May

1953 - Dr. Rufus Clement elected to Atlanta Board of Education.

On May 23, 1953, Dr. Rufus E. Clement, then president of Atlanta University, was elected to the Atlanta Board of Education, becoming the first... Continue →

1
Jul

2001 - Higher Education Act Amended

On this date in 2001, the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 was amended in 1998 to include a provision that denied federal financial aid to students... Continue →

1
Jul

1987 - African American Women College Presidents

On this date in 1987, or the first time in U.S. history, three African American women were serving simultaneously as presidents of four-year colleges... Continue →

1
Jul

1873 - Henry O. Flipper joins military academy

On this date in 1873, Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American cadet to be admitted to the United States Military Academy at West... Continue →

1
Jul

1870 - First Black to enter West Point school

On this date in 1870, James Webster Smith became the first Black cadet to enter the United States Military Academy at West Point. However, he faced... Continue →

3
Jul

1775 - Prince Hall Masonry founded

On this date in 1775, Prince Hall founded Africa Lodge No. 1 in Boston, Massachusetts, marking a pivotal moment in history as it became the first... Continue →

3
Jul

1936 - John Hope honored by NAACP

On this date in 1936, John Hope, who was the president of Atlanta University, was honored in New York City by the NAACP (National Association for the... Continue →

4
Jul

1881 - Institutions of Higher Learning Established

On this date in 1881, the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now Tuskegee University) was established in Tuskegee, Alabama. This institution,... Continue →

4
Jul

1991 - The National Civil Rights Museum officially opens

On this date in 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum officially opened at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, marking a significant moment in... Continue →

4
Jul

1881 - Booker T Washington opened Tuskegee Institute

On this date in 1881, Booker T. Washington officially opened Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Alabama. Washington, an influential... Continue →

6
Jul

1853 - William Wells Brown published Clotel

On this date in 1853, William Wells Brown published Clotel; or, The President's Daughter, which is widely regarded as the first novel written by an... Continue →

7
Jul

1940 - Aubrey F. Lowe, Financial Analyst Suffolk, VA born

On this date in 1940, Aubrey F. Lowe, a prominent financial analyst from Suffolk, Virginia, was born. His contributions to the field of finance are... Continue →

7
Jul

1915 - Famous writer Margret Walker, born

ON this date in 1915, Margaret Walker, the famous American writer, was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She is best known for her novel "Jubilee", which... Continue →

8
Jul

1943 - Activist Faye Wattleton

On this date in 1943, Faye Wattleton was born. She is a notable activist, nurse, and the first African American president of Planned Parenthood.... Continue →

9
Jul

1979 - Dr. Walter Massey named director of the Argonne national Laboratory.

On this date in 1979, Dr. Walter E. Massey was appointed as the director of Argonne National Laboratory, making him the first African American to... Continue →

10
Jul

1875 - Mary McLeod Bethune (born Mary Jane McLeod) was born

On this date in 1875, Mary McLeod Bethune was born in Mayesville, South Carolina. She was a pioneering educator, civil rights leader, and founder of... Continue →

11
Jul

1954 - First White Citizens Council organized

On this date in 1954, the first White Citizens’ Council (WCC) was established in Indianola, Mississippi. This organization was created by white... Continue →

11
Jul

1766 - Olaudah Equiano buys freedom.

On this date in 1766, Olaudah Equiano, an African man who had been enslaved, purchased his freedom. Equiano had been born in what is now Nigeria,... Continue →

12
Jul

1980 - Death of John W. Davis

On this date in 1980, John W. Davis dies at the age of 92 in Englewood, New Jersey. John W. Davis was a notable civil rights activist and an... Continue →

14
Jul

1941 - Maulana Karenga (born Ronald Everett) was born on this day.

On this date in 1941, Maulana Karenga, originally named Ronald Everett, was born. He is best known as the founder of Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration... Continue →

15
Jul

1822 - Philadelphia opens its Public schools for Blacks.

On this date in 1822, Philadelphia opened its public schools for Black children, which was a significant moment in American history. This move marked... Continue →

16
Jul

1862 - Ida B. Wells Barnett born

On this date in 1862, Ida B. Wells Barnett, a pioneering African American journalist, educator, and civil rights activist was born. She is best known... Continue →

17
Jul

1911 - Frank Snowden born

On this date in 1911, Frank Snowden, a pioneering scholar on the history of Black people in ancient times, was indeed born. His work focused on... Continue →

21
Jul

1864 - The New Orleans Tribune, is published in English and French

On this date in 1864, the first daily Black newspaper, The New Orleans Tribune, is published in English and French. The New Orleans Tribune was the... Continue →

24
Jul

1954 - First Black person to serve on the DC board of education, Mary Church Terrell dies.

Mary Church Terrell, a prominent African American activist and educator, passed away on July 24, 1954. She made history as one of the first Black... Continue →

24
Jul

1893 : Charles S. Johnson, born

Charles S. Johnson, born on July 24, 1893, was a prominent African American sociologist, educator, and civil rights leader. He is perhaps... Continue →

24
Jul

1802 - Alexandre Dumas is born

Alexandre Dumas was born on July 24, 1802, in Villers-Cotterêts, France to a Haitian mulatto, Thomas Alexandre Dumas, and Marie Labouret Dumas, a... Continue →

26
Jul

1926 - Spingarn Medal awarded Carter G. Woodson

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... Continue →

26
Jul

1916 - Spottiswood W. Robinson born

Spottiswood W. Robinson, born on July 26, 1916, was an American educator and innovator in the field of education. He was particularly influential in... Continue →

26
Jul

1865 - Patrick Francis Healy, first Black awarded Ph.D

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... Continue →

26
Jul

1848 - Frederick Douglass was the only male to play a prominent role at the first Woman's Rights Convention.

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... Continue →

30
Jul

1970 - Author, Louis Lomax, dies

Louis Lomax, the influential African American journalist and author, passed away on July 30, 1970. He was known for his groundbreaking work in the... Continue →

31
Jul

1874 - Patrick Francis Healy, S.J inaugurated as president of Georgetown University.

Patrick Francis Healy, S.J., was a trailblazer, not only as the first Black man to earn a Ph.D. but also as the first Black president of Georgetown... Continue →

1
Aug

1940 - Benjamin E. Mays named president of Morehouse College.

Benjamin E. Mays, often hailed as "the greatest school master of his generation," was appointed president of Morehouse College on August 1, 1940. His... Continue →

1
Aug

1894 - Benjamin E Mays was born

Benjamin E. Mays was actually born on August 1, 1894 in Ninety Six, South Carolina. He was a prominent African American minister, educator, scholar,... Continue →

1
Aug

1879 - Mary Eliza Mahoney Graduates Nursing Program

On August 1, 1879, Mary Eliza Mahoney became the first African American woman to graduate from a nursing program in the United States. She completed... Continue →

1
Aug

1869 - Augustus Nathaniel Lushington 1st Black D.V.M.

On August 1, 1869, Augustus Nathaniel Lushington made history as the first African American to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree.... Continue →

7
Aug

1930 - James Cameron’s life takes a dramatic and traumatic turn.

On the night of August 7, 1930, James Cameron’s life took a dramatic and traumatic turn. As a teenager, he and two other young Black men—Thomas... Continue →

8
Aug

1866 - Explorer and first to reach the North Pole, Matthew A Henson, born

Matthew A. Henson was born on August 8, 1866. He was an African American explorer who is best known for being one of the first people to... Continue →

8
Aug

1796 - Boston African Society was established

The Boston African Society was established on August 8, 1796, by a group of free African Americans in Boston. It was founded with 44 members... Continue →

10
Aug

1835 - Black School swampped

The specific incident took place in Canaan, New Hampshire, in August 1835. A mob of white citizens, driven by racial animus, forcibly removed... Continue →

11
Aug

1925 - Carl Thomas Rowan was born

Carl Thomas Rowan was born on August 11, 1925, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a prominent American journalist, author, and civil rights advocate.... Continue →

13
Aug

1881 - The first African American nursing school

On August 13, 1881, Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, established the first African American nursing school. This was a significant moment in... Continue →

14
Aug

1970 - City University of New York had open admissions

On August 14, 1970, the City University of New York (CUNY) implemented an open admissions policy, marking a significant shift in higher... Continue →

14
Aug

1876 - Prairie View State University founded

On August 14, 1876, Prairie View State University (now Prairie View A&M University) was founded. Located in Prairie View, Texas, it is the... Continue →

16
Aug

1987 - Historian Charles H. Wesley dies

Charles H. Wesley, an influential African American historian, passed away on August 16, 1987. He was renowned for his contributions to the study of... Continue →

18
Aug

1963 - The first Black person admitted to the University of Mississippi, James Meredith

On August 18, 1963, James Meredith became the first African American to be admitted to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). This milestone was a... Continue →

19
Aug

1946 - Charles F. Bolden, astronaut, born

Charles F. Bolden Jr. was born on August 19, 1946, in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Marine Corps major... Continue →

20
Aug

1856 - Wilberforce University Established

Wilberforce University was established on August 20, 1856, in Ohio. It is the first private historically Black college and university (HBCU) in the... Continue →

22
Aug

1867 - First Black College Founded in Tennesee

Fisk University, founded in 1865 and officially incorporated on August 22, 1867, is one of the oldest historically Black colleges and universities... Continue →

22
Aug

1844 - Blacks Declare Segregation a Violation

On August 22, 1844, a significant event took place in Boston when a mass meeting of African Americans gathered to protest the segregation of public... Continue →

23
Aug

1826 - Edward A. Jones received B.A. degree from Amherst College.

On this date inn 1826, Edward A. Jones received B.A. degree from Amherst College.

23
Aug

1826 - First Blacks in America to graduate College

John Brown Russwurm's graduation from Bowdoin College in 1826 is indeed a significant milestone in American education, as he is often credited as the... Continue →

23
Aug

1786 - First Black Correspondent of the French Academy of Sciences.

Jean-Baptiste Lislet-Geoffrey was an important figure in the history of science and a trailblazer in the French Academy of Sciences. On August 23,... Continue →

23
Aug

1755 - Jean Baptiste Lislet-Geoffroy is born.

Jean Baptiste Lislet-Geoffroy was born on August 23, 1755, in France. He was a notable French geographer and cartographer, particularly recognized... Continue →

25
Aug

1886 - Kentuck State College Founded

Kentucky State College (now known as Kentucky State University) was founded on August 25, 1886. It was established as a historically black college... Continue →

26
Aug

1918 - Katherine G. Johnson is born

Katherine G. Johnson was a pioneering mathematician and aerospace technologist whose work at NASA was crucial in the success of several space... Continue →

26
Aug

1900 - Hale Woodruff born

Hale Woodruff, born on August 26, 1900, was an influential African American artist and educator. He is best known for his role in founding the... Continue →

27
Aug

1963 - W.E.B. Du Bois died

W.E.B. Du Bois was a trailblazer in the fight for civil rights, education, and social justice. His contributions to both the academic world and the... Continue →

30
Aug

1956 - White mob prevented enrollment of students

On August 30, 1956, a white mob in Mansfield, Texas, attempted to prevent the enrollment of Black students at Mansfield High School. This occurred... Continue →

4
Sep

1957 - Black students are banned from a Little Rock high school, by Arkansas Governor

On September 4, 1957, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus deployed the National Guard to prevent nine Black students from entering Central High School in... Continue →

4
Sep

1865 - Bowie State College established in Bowie, MD

On September 4, 1865, Bowie State College (now known as Bowie State University) was established in Bowie, Maryland. It is one of the oldest... Continue →

5
Sep

1859 - Our Nig by Harriet Wilsons was published on this date

Our Nig: Or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black was published on September 5, 1859. Written by Harriet E. Wilson, it is considered the first... Continue →

6
Oct

1871 - Fisk Jubilee Singers began first national tour

On this date in 1871, Fisk Jubilee Singers began first national tour.

7
Oct

1934 - Writer Imamu Amiri Baraka born

On this date in 1934, Playwright Imamu Amiri Baraka born Everett LeRoi Jones in Newark, New Jersey.

7
Oct

1873 - Henry E Hayne, accepted to University of South Carolina

On this date in 1873, Henry E. Hayne, secretary of state, accepted as the first student of color at the University of South Carolina medical school.... Continue →

10
Oct

1901 - Frederick Douglass Patterson born

On this date in 1901, Frederick Douglass Patterson, veterinarian and founder of the United Negro College Fund, born

14
Oct

1916 - Sophomore tackle Paul Robeson is excluded from the Rutgers football team.

On this date in 1916, Sophomore tackle Paul Robeson is excluded from the Rutgers football team when Washington and Lee University refused to play... Continue →

14
Oct

1902 - William Boyd Allison Davis born

On this date in 1902, William Boyd Allison Davis, a leading social anthropologist and educator, challenged the cultural bias of standardized... Continue →

16
Oct

1849 - Charles L. Reason named professor of belles-lettres and French at Central College.

ON this date in 1849, Charles L. Reason named professor of belles-lettres and French at Central College, McGrawville, New York. William G. Allen and... Continue →

16
Oct

1849 - Avery College established in Allegheny,Pennsylvania.

ON this date in 1849, Avery College established in Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

17
Oct

1969 - Dr. Clifton R. Wharton Jr. elected president of Michigan State University

On this date in 1969, Dr. Clifton R. Wharton Jr. elected president of Michigan State University and became the first Black to head a major,... Continue →

17
Oct

1787 - Equal Education Rights

On this date in 1787, Prince Hall submitted, to the State Legislature of Boston, Massachusetts, a petition asking for equal educational rights. His... Continue →

18
Oct

1951 - Terry McMillan, novelist born

On this date in 1951, Novelist, editor, and educator Terry McMillan was born on this day. Ms. McMillan will reach acclaim for her books "Mama",... Continue →

18
Oct

1948 - Ntozke Shange was born

On this date in 1948, Born Paulette Williams, she graduated from Barnard College in 1970, and later earned an MA from the University of Southern... Continue →

19
Oct

1859 - Co-founder of Virginia State College, Byrd Prillerman, born.

On this date in 1859, Co-founder of Virginia State College, Byrd Prillerman, born.

21
Oct

1994 - Charles Edward Anderson dies.

On this date in 1994, Charles Edward Anderson the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Meteorology; dies. In 1960, Charles Edward Anderson... Continue →

21
Oct

1980 - Valerie Thomas invents the illusion transmitter

On this date in 1980, Valerie Thomas invented the illusion transmitter. Patent #US4229761.

22
Oct

1963 - Some 225,000 students boycotted Chicago schools.

ON this date in 1963, some 225,000 students boycotted Chicago schools in Freedom Day protest of de facto segregation.

25
Oct

1958 - Ten thousand students march

On this date in 1958, ten thousand students, led by Jackie Robinson, Harry Belfonte and A. Phillip Randolph, participated in the Youth March for... Continue →

25
Oct

1925 - Emmett W. Chappelle born

ON this date in 1925, Emmett W. Chappelle was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He received a Bachelor of Science in 1950 from the University of California,... Continue →

26
Oct

1977 - Dr. Clifford R. Wharton Jr. named chancellor

On this date in 1977, Dr. Clifford R. Wharton Jr. named chancellor of the State University of New York.

26
Oct

1806 - Benjamin Banneker, inventor and scientist, dies

On this dated in 1806, Benjamin Banneker, inventor and scientist, dies at the age of 74. In 1753, he borrowed a pocket watch from a well-to-do... Continue →

28
Oct

1914 - Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, founded at Howard

On this date in 1914, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity incorporated,founded at Howard University.

29
Oct

1969 - U.S. Supreme Court said school systems must end segregation.

On this date in 1969, U.S. Supreme Court said school systems must end segregation "at once" and "operate now and hereafter only unitary schools." In... Continue →

30
Oct

1966 - Black Panther Party Emerges

On this date in 1966, Huey Newton and Bobby Seale students at a California college create the Black Panther Party for Self Defense.

31
Oct

1945 - Educator, Booker T Washington, inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great Americans

On this date in 1945, Educator, Booker T Washington, inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great Americans.

31
Oct

1820 - The Emancipator was published

On this dated in 1820, The "Emancipator," the first anti-slavery magazine, was issued monthly from April 30 to October 31, 1820. It was edited and... Continue →

1
Nov

1796 - African Free School opened in New York.

On this date in 1796, an African Free School opened in New York. It was the the first school for Blacks in America opened. The African Free School... Continue →

1
Nov

1946 - Dr. Charles S. Johnson becomes president of Fisk University

On this date in 1964, Dr. Charles S. Johnson became the first Black president of Fisk University.

3
Nov

1896 - South Carolina State College established

On this date in 1896, South Carolina State College established.

5
Nov

1935 - Courts order University to admit an African American

On this date in 1935, Maryland Court of Appeals ordered the University of Maryland to admit Donald Murray.

6
Nov

1973 - Spingarn Medal awarded to Wilson C. Riles

On this date in 1973, Spingarn Medal presented to Wilson C. Riles, superintendent of public instruction, California, "in recognition of the stature... Continue →

6
Nov

1973 - Superintendent of schools killed in ambush

ON this date in 1973, Marcus A. Foster, superintendent of schools in Oakland, Calif., killed in ambush after Board of Education meeting. Two members... Continue →

6
Nov

1928 - Spingarn Medal: Charles W. Chestnutt

On this date in 1928, Spingarn Medal presented to Charles W. Chestnutt, the first Black to receive widespread critical recognition as a novelist. He... Continue →

7
Nov

? 1967 – Formation of the Black Student Movement

The Black Student Movement (BSM) was established at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to address issues of Black student... Continue →

7
Nov

1876 - Meharry Medical College Established

On November 7, 1876, Meharry Medical College was founded as the medical department of Central Tennessee College in Nashville, Tennessee. It became... Continue →

7
Nov

1876 - Edward A. Bouchet Becomes the First Black Ph.D. in America

On November 7, 1876, Edward Alexander Bouchet made history by earning a Ph.D. in physics from Yale University, becoming the first African American to... Continue →

8
Nov

1932 - Spingarn Medal: Robert R. Moton

On November 8, 1932, Robert Russa Moton, the second president of Tuskegee Institute, was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP. Who was... Continue →

11
Nov

1979 - Bethune Museum & Archives Established in Washington, D.C.

The Bethune Museum and Archives was founded on this day as the first institution in the United States dedicated to African American women's history.... Continue →

11
Nov

1925 - Xavier University of Louisiana Established

Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically Black Roman Catholic university in the United States, was founded on this day in New Orleans.... Continue →

12
Nov

1922 - Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority Inc. founded

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded on November 12, 1922, at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, by seven African American... Continue →

14
Nov

1960 – Four Black Girls Integrate New Orleans Public Schools

On this day, U.S. Marshals escorted four six-year-old Black girls—Leona Tate, Tessie Prevost, and Gail Etienne—into McDonogh 19 Elementary... Continue →

14
Nov

1915 – Death of Booker T. Washington, Influential Educator and Leader

Booker T. Washington, one of the most prominent African American leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, died at age 59 in Tuskegee,... Continue →

14
Nov

1903 - Mother Matelda Beasley passes away.

Mother Mathilda Beasley, born Mathilda Taylor on November 14, 1832, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a pioneering African American educator and the... Continue →

15
Nov

1979 - Sir W. Arthur Lewis Awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics

Sir W. Arthur Lewis, a professor at Princeton University, was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, becoming the first Black person... Continue →

15
Nov

1897 – Langston University and Voorhees College Founded

Langston University was established in Langston, Oklahoma, as a land-grant institution under the Morrill Act of 1890. It is Oklahoma’s only... Continue →

16
Nov

1972 - National Guard mobilized after officers killed

On November 16, 1972, a tragic incident unfolded at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Student protests concerning the university's... Continue →

16
Nov

1873 – Richard T. Greener Appointed Professor at University of South Carolina

Richard T. Greener, the first African American graduate of Harvard University (Class of 1870), was appointed professor of metaphysics and logic at... Continue →

17
Nov

1911 – Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Founded

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., becoming the first international fraternal... Continue →

18
Nov

1977 – Robert Edward Chambliss Convicted in 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing

Robert Edward Chambliss, a former member of the Ku Klux Klan, was convicted of first-degree murder for his role in the 1963 bombing of the 16th... Continue →

20
Nov

1866 – Founding of Howard University

Ten members of the First Congregational Society of Washington, D.C. gathered for a missionary meeting and resolved to establish a seminary to train... Continue →

21
Nov

1865 – Shaw University Founded

Shaw University, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, was founded on this day by Henry Martin Tupper, a Union Army chaplain. It holds the distinction... Continue →

22
Nov

1893 – Birth of Alrutheus A. Taylor, Historian and Educator

Alrutheus Ambush Taylor, a pioneering African American historian and educator, was born on this day in Washington, D.C. Taylor was instrumental in... Continue →

23
Nov

1907 – Palmer Memorial Institute Established in North Carolina

On this day, the Alice Freeman Palmer Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina, founded by educator and activist Charlotte Hawkins Brown, was officially... Continue →

23
Nov

1897 – J.L. Love Patents the Pencil Sharpener

John Lee Love, an African American inventor, received U.S. Patent No. 594,114 for his design of a portable pencil sharpener. Known as the "Love... Continue →

24
Nov

1865 – Mississippi Enacts the First “Black Codes”

Shortly after the Civil War, on November 24, 1865, Mississippi became the first former Confederate state to pass the so-called Black Codes. These... Continue →

24
Nov

1880 - Southern University established

Southern University was officially established in Louisiana on November 24, 1880, by the state legislature as a public institution for the education... Continue →

28
Nov

1960 – Death of Author Richard Wright

Richard Nathaniel Wright, acclaimed American author of Native Son and Black Boy, died in Paris, France, at the age of 52. Wright was a trailblazing... Continue →

30
Nov

1966 – Founding of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense

Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, students at Merritt College in Oakland, California, founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. The... Continue →

1
Dec

1987 - James (Arthur) Baldwin dies

James Baldwin, born August 2, 1924, in Harlem, New York, passed away on this day in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France. A brilliant novelist, essayist, and... Continue →

1
Dec

1873 - Institutions Of Higher Learning Founded

?In 1873, several historically significant educational institutions were established, each playing a pivotal role in advancing education for African... Continue →

2
Dec

1968 – "Judas, My Brother" by Frank Yerby Published

On this day, Dial Press published Judas, My Brother, a novel by Frank Yerby, one of the first Black American authors to gain international acclaim... Continue →

2
Dec

1891 - Institutions Of Higher Learning established

The institutions you mentioned—North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (North Carolina A&T), Delaware State University, and... Continue →

2
Dec

1891 - Historian, Charles Harris Wesley was born

On December 2, 1891, Charles Harris Wesley was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He became a distinguished historian, educator, minister, and author,... Continue →

3
Dec

1911 – Helen Gray Edmonds, Educator and Historian, is Born

Helen Gray Edmonds was born in Lawrenceville, Virginia. She went on to become a distinguished educator, historian, and civic leader. Edmonds was the... Continue →

4
Dec

1915 – NAACP Leads Protests Against The Birth of a Nation

On this day, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) organized nationwide protests against the film The Birth of a... Continue →

4
Dec

1906 – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Founded

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men, was founded at Cornell... Continue →

5
Dec

1870 – Death of Alexandre Dumas, Celebrated French Novelist and Playwright

On this day, Alexandre Dumas, the renowned French author of African descent, passed away at the age of 68. Dumas is best known for his literary... Continue →

5
Dec

1935 – Mary McLeod Bethune Founds the National Council of Negro Women

On this day, educator and civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune founded the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) in New York City. The... Continue →

5
Dec

1935 – Mary McLeod Bethune Awarded the Spingarn Medal

Mary McLeod Bethune, renowned educator and civil rights leader, was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP for her outstanding achievements in... Continue →

5
Dec

1895 – Elbert Frank Cox, First African American to Earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics, Born

Elbert Frank Cox was born in Evansville, Indiana on this day. In 1925, he made history by becoming the first African American in the world to receive... Continue →

5
Dec

1870 – Alexandre Dumas (Père) Passes Away

Alexandre Dumas, the renowned French novelist and playwright, died on this day in 1870. Born in 1802, Dumas was of Afro-Caribbean descent—his... Continue →

5
Dec

1784 – Phillis Wheatley Passes Away in Poverty

Phillis Wheatley, the first African American to publish a book of poetry, died in poverty at the age of 31 in Boston. Enslaved as a child and brought... Continue →

6
Dec

1878 – Birth of William Stanley Braithwaite, Influential Literary Figure

William Stanley Braithwaite was born in Boston, Massachusetts. A poet, literary critic, and editor, Braithwaite played a pivotal role in shaping... Continue →

6
Dec

1961 – Dr. Frantz Fanon Dies in Washington, D.C.

Frantz Fanon, the Martinican-born psychiatrist, philosopher, revolutionary, and author, passed away from leukemia at age 36. He is best known for his... Continue →

6
Dec

1869 – Tougaloo College Founded

On this day, Tougaloo College was established in Tougaloo, Mississippi, by the American Missionary Association. It became a center for African... Continue →

7
Dec

1941 – Richard Wright Awarded the Spingarn Medal

The NAACP presented the prestigious Spingarn Medal to novelist Richard Wright for his groundbreaking contributions to American literature. He was... Continue →

8
Dec

1936 – John Hope Awarded Spingarn Medal Posthumously

On this day, John Hope was posthumously awarded the Spingarn Medal, the NAACP’s highest honor, recognizing outstanding achievement by an African... Continue →

8
Dec

1868 – Birth of Henry Hugh Proctor, Minister, Educator, and Writer

Henry Hugh Proctor was born in Fayette County, Tennessee. He became a prominent African American minister, educator, and writer, known for his work... Continue →

8
Dec

1850 – Lucy Ann Stanton Becomes the First African American Woman to Graduate from College

On this day, Lucy Ann Stanton made history by becoming the first African American woman to complete a college-level course of study. She graduated... Continue →

11
Dec

1916 – John E. Bush, Educator and Government Official, Passed Away

John E. Bush, born into slavery, rose to become a respected teacher, real estate developer, and civic leader in Arkansas. In 1898, he was appointed... Continue →

12
Dec

1938 - U.S. Supreme court Ruling

On December 12, 1938, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a pivotal decision in Missouri ex rel. Gaines v. Canada, marking a significant step toward... Continue →

12
Dec

1890 – Mordecai Wyatt Johnson is Born

Mordecai Wyatt Johnson, born on this day in Paris, Tennessee, became the first African American president of Howard University, serving from 1926 to... Continue →

13
Dec

1960 - METCO

The Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) is the nation's longest-running voluntary school desegregation program. Established in... Continue →

14
Dec

1968 - Classes of San Francisco State suspended

The San Francisco State College (now San Francisco State University) student strike of 1968–1969 was a pivotal moment in the history of American... Continue →

14
Dec

1829 – John Mercer Langston is Born

John Mercer Langston, a pioneering lawyer, educator, and politician, was born on this day in Louisa County, Virginia. Born free in a slaveholding... Continue →

15
Dec

1883 – William A. Hinton, Renowned Bacteriologist, Is Born

William Augustus Hinton, a pioneering African American bacteriologist and pathologist, was born on this day. He is best known for developing the... Continue →

15
Dec

1961 – Dr. Kenneth B. Clark Awarded Spingarn Medal

Kenneth B. Clark, a pioneering psychologist and educator, was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP for his groundbreaking work on the... Continue →

15
Dec

1943 - Spinarn Metal: William H. Hastie

On December 15, 1943, the Spingarn Medal was presented to William H. Hastie in recognition of his distinguished career as a jurist and his unwavering... Continue →

15
Dec

1934 - Spingarn Award: William Taylor

On December 15, 1934, William Taylor Burwell Williams was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP for his exceptional contributions to education.... Continue →

16
Dec

1933 – Charles L. Blockson, Black History Scholar and Archivist, Is Born

On this day in 1933, Charles L. Blockson was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania. A renowned author, historian, and collector, Blockson became one of... Continue →

16
Dec

1875 – Institutions of Higher Learning Established

On this day, three historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were founded or formally chartered: Alabama A&M University... Continue →

16
Dec

1870 – Colored Methodist Episcopal Church Organized in Jackson, Tennessee

On this day, the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church (CME) was officially organized in Jackson, Tennessee, by 41 freedmen and former slaves. The... Continue →

16
Dec

1816 – Birth of William Cooper Nell, First African American Historian

William Cooper Nell was born on this day in Boston, Massachusetts. Recognized by Carter G. Woodson as the first African American historian, Nell... Continue →

18
Dec

1996 - Oakland, California- School board recognize black English

On December 18, 1996, the Oakland School Board in California made a groundbreaking decision by passing a resolution that recognized Ebonics, also... Continue →

19
Dec

1930 – Henry A. Hunt Receives the Spingarn Medal

Henry A. Hunt, a pioneering Black educator and agricultural leader, was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP for his outstanding contributions to... Continue →

19
Dec

1930 – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Officially Incorporated

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, originally founded on January 13, 1913 at Howard University by 22 collegiate women, was officially incorporated on... Continue →

19
Dec

1910 – South Carolina State University Becomes a State-Supported Institution

On this date, South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, was officially designated a state-supported land-grant institution for... Continue →

20
Dec

1893 – Paul Laurence Dunbar Publishes Oak and Ivy

On this day, Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the first influential Black poets in American literature, published his debut poetry collection, Oak and... Continue →

20
Dec

1870 - Institutions Of Higher Learning Established

Allen University Founded: 1870 Location: Columbia, South Carolina Wikipedia  Background: Established by ministers of the... Continue →

21
Dec

1972 - Death of Horace Mann Bond passes away.

On December 21, 1972, Horace Mann Bond, an influential African American educator, historian, and college administrator, died. Bond was known for his... Continue →

22
Dec

1905 - Birth of James Amos Porter

James Amos Porter, a pioneering African American art historian and artist, was born on this date in Baltimore, Maryland. Porter was instrumental in... Continue →

22
Dec

1943 - W.E.B. Du Bois became the first Black person elected to the National Institute of Arts and Letters.

W.E.B. Du Bois, a pioneering sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist, was elected to the prestigious National Institute of Arts and... Continue →

22
Dec

1898 - Birth of Dr. Chancellor Williams

Dr. Chancellor Williams, renowned historian and author of The Destruction of Black Civilization, was born. His influential work challenged mainstream... Continue →

22
Dec

1873 - Death of Abolitionist Charles Lenox Remond

Charles Lenox Remond, a pioneering abolitionist and orator, died on this day in 1873. He was the first Black lecturer employed by the Massachusetts... Continue →

24
Dec

1853 - Birth of Octavia V. Rogers Albert

Octavia V. Rogers Albert, an African American author and former enslaved woman, was born. She is best known for her influential book The House of... Continue →

25
Dec

1870 - Henry McKee Minton, born

Henry McKee Minton was born on this day in Columbia, South Carolina. A pioneering African American physician and pharmacist, Minton co-founded Sigma... Continue →

25
Dec

1865 - Founding of Historically Black Universities

On Christmas Day 1865, three prominent historically Black universities were founded: Atlanta University (now part of Clark Atlanta University), Shaw... Continue →

25
Dec

1837 - Cheyney University Founded

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, the oldest historically Black university in the United States, was established as the Institute for Colored Youth... Continue →

26
Dec

1894 - Birth of Jean Toomer

Jean Toomer, a pioneering African-American writer and the grandson of P.B.S. Pinchback—the first African-American governor of a U.S. state—was... Continue →

27
Dec

1904 - Monroe Nathan Work marries Florence Evelyn Hendrickson.

With the support of his wife, Work went on to publish The Negro Year Book, an annual encyclopedia of African American achievement. In 1928, he... Continue →

27
Dec

1892 - First African American Intercollegiate football

Livingstone College and Biddle College (now Johnson C. Smith University) played the first recorded football game between African American colleges.... Continue →

27
Dec

1873 - Birth of William A. Harper

William A. Harper, one of the most gifted African American artists of the early 20th century, was born in Ontario, Canada. A student of renowned... Continue →

28
Dec

1918 - William Stanley Braithwaite awarded Spingarn Medal

William Stanley Braithwaite, renowned poet, literary critic, and editor, received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP for distinguished achievement in... Continue →

30
Dec

1929 - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., a historically African American Greek-lettered sorority, was officially incorporated on this date in 1929. Founded on... Continue →

30
Dec

1929 - Spingarn Award to Mordecai W. Johnson

On this day, Mordecai Wyatt Johnson was honored with the prestigious Spingarn Medal by the NAACP, recognizing his significant contributions to... Continue →

31
Dec

1984 - The first nationally broadcast telethon for the United Negro College fund is held

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) held its first nationally televised telethon, An Evening of Stars, which raised $14.1 million to support... Continue →

31
Dec

1900 - Selma Burke was born

Sculptor and educator Selma Burke was born on this day in Mooresville, North Carolina. She gained national recognition after being commissioned to... Continue →

31
Dec

1871 - Birth of Annie Wealthy Holland

Annie Wealthy Holland, an influential African American educator, was born on this day. She is best known for founding the Parent Teacher Association... Continue →