I nearly forgot what month it was, and today’s feature goes right along with this theme. On this date in 1947, Percival Prattis became the first African American reporter allowed into the press galleries of both houses of Congress.  He was a veteran of WWI, and he was an early civil rights leader. Acts 17:26 – And hath made of […]

Sadly, today’s feature took way too long to happen, in my opinion.  But I am happy to report that on this date in 1963, the first African-American student graduated from the University of Mississippi.  He fought long and hard to have this opportunity, and his civil right activism is quite inspiring.  I will never understand the racial issues that this […]

This was a major scandal for the first African-American Miss America.  On this date in 1984, Vanessa Williams became the first Miss America to resign. Penthouse published old nude photos that she never authorized and had assumed were destroyed. No matter–she kept her crown and scholarship money.  And she went on to a fantastic,  award-winning career. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanessa_L._Williams […]

I am happy to report that on this date in 1943, the National George Washington Carver Monument was founded by FDR.  This was the first national monument dedicated to an African American.  This was certainly something good that FDR did.  You can find the monument in Diamond, Missouri. For more info: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver_National_Monument http://shs.umsystem.edu/historicmissourians/name/c/carver/

Seven years before my birth on this date in history (1967), President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated the first African American to the Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall.  After a heated debate, he began serving in August of that year and continued to serve for 24 years.  I seem to remember when he retired and possibly even when he died in 2005. […]

Today’s feature truly shocked me.  On this date in 1881, Frederick Douglass was appointed as the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia.  This may not sound too amazing until you realize that he was the first African-American appointed to an office that required senate confirmation.  This wasn’t even his first nor only position.  The Senate confirmed this “free […]

I was quite pleased to discover that on this date in 1853, Harriet Tubman began the work for which she is most known–The Underground Railroad.  During her 10-year tenure with the Railroad, she made 19 trips and led more than 300 slaves to freedom.  She has the distinction of never losing a passenger.  I can only hope and pray that […]

I was never much of a fan of President Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson, and this is proof of his inept abilities and poor character.  On this date in 1866, the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 was passed by Congress.  This was in spite of President Johnson’s veto back in March.  It had first been introduced back in January, and Johnson […]

From what I can tell, my information is accurate, although there does appear to be some discrepancy.  On this date in1799, New York passed legilation to begin the process of abolition of slavery.  The Act for Gradual Abolition of Slavery freed children born to slaves after July 4, 1799, but there were many stipulations.  For more info: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/antislchron.cfm http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/civilwar/cwdoc100.html http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nycayuga/land/towns/1799abolition.html

Intriguing bit of history today.  On this date in 1776, General George Washington permitted African-Americans who were free and had prior military experience to join the Revolutionary War army.  I honestly didn’t know this happened, and even though slavery was abundant, it’s nice to know that African-Americans were at least a part of the Revolutionary War! For more information: http://famousdaily.com/history/george-washington-allows-enlistment-blacks.html […]