Today's Articles

People, Locations, Episodes

Thu, 09.12.1748

Prince Hall, Preacher, and Mason born

*Prince Hall was born (circa) on this date in 1748. He was an Afro Barbadian preacher, administrator, mason, and businessman.   Prince Hall was born free in Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies. His father, Thomas Prince Hall, was a white Englishman, and his mother was a free Black French woman. In 1765, at 17, he worked his […]

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Fri, 12.29.1809

William Gladstone, Politician and Slaveowner born.

*William Gladstone was born on this date in 1809. He was a white British statesman, slave owner, and politician. Born in Liverpool, William Ewart Gladstone was of Scottish ancestry. He was the fourth son of the wealthy enslaver John Gladstone and his second wife, Anne MacKenzie Robertson. In 1814, young “Willy” visited Scotland for the […]

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Tue, 09.12.1815

Richard Rust, Minister, and Writer born

*Richard Rust was born on this date in 1815.  He was a white-American Methodist preacher, abolitionist, educator, writer, and lecturer.  Richard Sutton Rust grew up in Ipswich, Massachusetts. At ten years old, he became orphaned and went to live on his uncle’s farm. He attended Phillips Academy and became involved in anti-slavery activities. After hearing […]

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Thu, 09.12.1833

James M. Williams, Soldier, and Lawyer born

*James M. Williams was born on this date in 1833.  He was a white-American lawyer, soldier, and merchant.   James Monroe Williams was from Lowville (Lewis County), New York.  Before the American Civil War, he was employed as a lawyer in his hometown.  On July 12, 1861, Williams entered the Union Army as a captain in the 5th Kansas Cavalry Regiment and was appointed commander […]

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Sat, 09.12.1840

Mary Jane Patterson, Educator born

The birth of Mary Jane Patterson in 1840 is celebrated on this date. She was a Black teacher.

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Tue, 09.12.1854

Hazel Augustus, Architect born

*Hazel Augustus was born on this date in 1854.  He was a Black Architect.  Little is known about Augustus’ life.  After marriage and starting a family in Orlando, Florida, he moved to Palm Beach County early in the century, according to an account given to The Post by his goddaughter, Hazel Augustus Driskell, in 1990.  […]

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Sun, 09.12.1858

The Oberlin Wellington Rescue Episode Occurs

*On this date in 1858, the Oberlin Wellington Rescue occurred. Taking place in Lorain County, Ohio, this was a key episode in the history of the abolitionist movement in the United States.

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Mon, 09.12.1859

Florence Kelley, Activist born

Florence Kelley was born on this date in 1859. She was a White American activist for civil rights and social reform.

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Tue, 09.12.1865

The Avery Normal Institute is Founded

The founding of Avery Normal Institute in 1865 is celebrated on this date. Located in Charleston, SC, Avery Normal Institute was a nationally recognized African American educational institution that trained young adults in professional careers and leaderships roles for nearly 100 years.

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Tue, 09.12.1882

Edwin Smalls, Entertainment Businessman born.

*Edwin Smalls was born on this date in 1882. He was a Black businessman. Edwin Alexander Smalls was from Charleston, SC, and joined the Great Migration north and came to New York with the waves of people who flowed into the city from Europe and the South. He settled in Manhattan but moved uptown as Harlem was […]

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Fri, 09.12.1902

Marion Thompson Wright, Educator born

*Marion Thompson Wright was born on September 12, 1902. She was a Black scholar, educator, and activist. Marion Manola Thompson was born in East Orange, New Jersey, to Minnie Thompson and Moses R. Thompson. Wright was the youngest of four children and had two older twin sisters and a brother. She attended Barringer High School […]

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Sat, 12.04.1909

The New York Amsterdam News is Founded

On this date in 1909, the New York Amsterdam News was founded. It has been one of the leading Black weekly newspapers for almost 100 years.

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Thu, 12.09.1909

William Fontaine, Philosopher born

The birth of William T.V. Fontaine in 1909 is celebrated on this date. He was an African American educator and philosopher.

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Wed, 12.15.1909

Eliza Atkins Gleason, Librarian born

*Eliza Atkins Gleason was born on this date in 1909. She was a Black librarian, university dean, and administrator. Eliza Valeria Atkins was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Simon Green Atkins and Olenona Pegram Atkins. Her parents were educators; her mother was a teacher, and her father was the founder and first president of […]

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Fri, 09.12.1913

Jesse Owens, Olympic Track & Field Athlete born

This date marks the birth of Jesse Owens in 1913. He was an African American sprinter and businessman and one of the greatest track-and-field athletes of all time.

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New Poem Each Day

Poetry Corner

My father is a handsome guy. Looks like a cross between Clark Gable & Ernest Hemingway. If you don't believe me, I got proof: Once a white woman (at one of those... A DADDY POEM by William J. Harris.
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