People, Locations, Episodes

The 25th United States Colored Infantry is Formed

*On this date in 1864, The 25th United States Colored Infantry was formed. This infantry regiment served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of African American enlisted men commanded by white officers and was authorized by the Bureau of Colored Troops. The 25th U.S. Colored Infantry was organized at […]

John H. Alexander born

*John Hanks Alexander was born on this date in 1864.  He was a 19th century African American military officer. Alexander was born in Helena, Arkansas, the fourth of seven children born to former slaves James Milo Alexander and Fannie Miller Alexander. James Alexander was a barber and dry goods salesman in Helena and acquired property there. He later became the first […]

The 12th Regiment, Heavy Artillery U.S. Colored Troops is Formed

*The 12th Regiment Heavy Artillery U.S. Colored Troops was formed on this date in 1864. It was one of 175 regiments of African American men during the American Civil War. Kentucky was the last state to accept Black men into their army during the war. In February 1864, 400 men wanted to enlist, and Col. Andrew […]

Gaius C. Bolin, Lawyer and Judge born

*Gaius C. Bolin was born on this date in 1864. He was a Black lawyer and judge. He was a descendant of Blacks who had lived in or near the Hudson River town of Poughkeepsie, New York, for generations, first in slavery and then, after the adoption of gradual emancipation laws in 1799 and 1817, […]

The 18th United States Colored Infantry Regiment is Formed.

*The 18th United States Colored Infantry Regiment was formed on this date in 1864. They were a Black infantry regiment. The 18th was raised in Missouri and served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in Missouri, unlike other Black regiments from the State, it was mustered directly into the U.S. rather than […]

The War Of The Triple Alliance Begins

*On this date, in 1864, the War of the Triple Alliance began. Also known as the Paraguayan War it was a South American war fought between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay. A conflict of race and class, it was the deadliest and bloodiest inter-state war in Latin America’s history. It […]

The 5th United States Colored Cavalry 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. They were officially organized in Kentucky after their first two battles. Colonel James Brisbin commanded […]

The 41st United States Colored Infantry is Formed

*On this date, 1864, the 41st United States Colored Infantry was formed. This infantry regiment comprised Black enlisted men who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Six companies were formed and ordered to join the Army of the James on October 13. White officers commanded the regiment, which the Bureau of Colored […]

Samuel G. Elbert, Doctor born

*On this date in 1865, Samuel G. Elbert, Sr., was born. He was a Black Doctor, Businessman, and Civic and Community Leader. He was born on a farm near Chestertown, Maryland. He received an early education in the primary schools of Chestertown and later entered the pre-medical program at Howard University in Washington, D.C. In 1891, he […]

The Joint Committee of Reconstruction Established

*On this date in 1865, The Joint Committee on Reconstruction was established.  Also known as the Joint Committee of Fifteen, this 39th United States Congress committee played a major role in Reconstruction after the American Civil War. It was created to “inquire into the condition of the States which formed the so-called Confederate States of America, and report whether they or any of […]

The 13th Amendment Of America’s Constitution is Adopted

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified on this date in 1865.

The Ku Klux Klan in America, an article

The founding of the Ku Klux Klan in 1866 is recognized on this date. The Ku Klux Klan is an American organization that primarily promotes hatred to all races that are not White and to non-protestant religions.

J. Frank Wheaton, Minnesota Lawyer born

*John Frank Wheaton was born on this date in 1866. He was an African American politician and lawyer.

The American Civil Rights Movement, a story

On this date, starting with the year 1866, the African American Registry features a brief article and definition of civil rights.

The ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ Military Units are Created

*On June 28, 1866, an Act of Congress authorized the creation of two cavalry and four infantry regiments, “which shall be composed of colored men.” They were organized as the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 38th through 41st Infantry.

The 9th and 10th Cavalry would go on to play a major role in the history of the West, as the “Buffalo Soldiers”