People, Locations, Episodes

The 5th United States Colored Cavalry (5th USCC) is Formed

*The 5th United States Colored Cavalry (5th USCC) was formed on this date in 1864. They were a regiment of the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. They were one of the more notable Black fighting units. It was officially organized in Kentucky after its first two battles. It was commanded by […]

The American Redeemers, White Coalition, a story

*On this date in 1870, we confirm the American Redeemers.  They were a political coalition in the Southern United States during the Reconstruction Era that followed the American Civil War. Redeemers were the Southern wing of the Democratic Party. They sought to regain their political power and enforce white supremacy. Their policy of Redemption was […]

William “Billy” Williams, Exe. Political Assistant born

William F. (Billy) Williams was born on this date in 1877. He was an African American executive political assistant.

Hartford Burrell, Physician born

*Hartford Burwell was born on this date in 1885.  He was a Black doctor.  From Raleigh, North Carolina, Hartford Ranson Burwell attended Hampton Institute, Virginia, and subsequently graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh. He received the MD degree from Howard University in 1912. He interned at Freedmen’s Hospital, Washington, DC, and was on the staff […]

Majorie S. Joyner, Inventor born

On this date, Marjorie Stewart Joyner was born in 1896. She was an African American businesswoman and humanitarian.

International Bluesman, Sonny Terry born

This date marks the birth of Sonny Terry, born in 1911. He was an African American blues singer and harmonica player who became the touring and recording partner of guitarist Brownie McGhee in 1941.

Marie Foster, Alabama Activist born

*Marie Foster was born on this date in1917. She was an African American educator and a civil rights activist.

She was born Marie Priscilla Martin near Alberta, Alabama. Foster’s mother took her to Selma to get an education against Foster’s father’s wishes. Foster did not initially complete high school, but instead dropped out, married, and raised three children. After her husband’s death, Foster worked low-wage jobs but eventually completed high school, went to a junior college, and became a dental hygienist.

The Play ‘Mulatto’ Debuts on Broadway

*On this date in 1935 Mulatto: A Tragedy of the Deep South had its Broadway debut.   This was a play about race issues by Langston Hughes. It was produced by Martin Jones and it ran for 11 months and 373 performances.  It was one of the earliest Broadway plays to combine father-son conflict with race issues. Historian Joseph McLaren noted […]

Kweisi Mfume, Policy Advocate born

*Kweisi Mfume was born on this date in 1948. He is a former African American politician and current administrator, and activist.

Zambia Gains independence From the U.K.

On this date in 1964, Zambia gained independence from Britain. With a population of over 9 million, Zambia is located in Southern Africa, east of Angola.

Zambia’s history goes back to the debut of Homo sapiens: evidence of human habitation going back 100,000 years has been found at Kabwe, north of Lusaka.

The Scottish explorer David Livingstone came to the area that is now Zambia in 1851. He was the first to see the falls he named Victoria, after Queen Victoria, in 1855.

National Coalition of 100 Black Women Formed

*On this date, we celebrate the founding of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) in 1970.

The NCBW, an advocacy organization, is dedicated to community service, leadership development, and the enhancement of career opportunities through networking and programming. NCBW was conceived in New York City and became a national organization in 1981. The NCBW has 60 chapters in 21 states and the District of Columbia, with over 7,000 members. NCBW’s diverse membership is comprised of professional women who are actively involved in the political and economic life of their communities.

The Movie ‘The Wiz’ Opens

*On this date in 1978, the movie The Wiz opened theaters globally.  The Wiz was an American musical adventure fantasy film produced by Universal Pictures and Motown Productions.   It was a reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s classic 1900 children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz featuring an all-Black cast, the film was loosely adapted from the 1974 Broadway musical of the same name. It follows the adventures of Dorothy, a […]