People, Locations, Episodes

Martha E. Lofton Haynes, Mathematician born

The birth of Martha Euphemia Lofton Haynes, an African American mathematician and teacher in 1890, is celebrated on this date.

She was born in Washington, D.C. as Martha Euphemia Lofton, to Dr. William S. Lofton, a prominent Black D.C. dentist and investor in Black businesses in the area, and Lavinia Day Lofton, who was active in the Catholic Church. Euphemia (she rarely used Martha) graduated from Washington’s Miner Normal School in 1909, and five years later, she received a B.A. in mathematics (with a minor in psychology) from Smith College.

Lorenzo Turner, Linguist born

*Lorenzo Turner was born on this date in 1890.  He was a Black academic and linguist.  Born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Lorenzo Dow Turner was the youngest of four sons of Rooks Turner and Elizabeth Freeman. His father completed his master’s degree at Howard University, although he did not begin first grade until he was twenty-one. His mother gained […]

Minnie Smith, Teacher and Sorority Founder, born

*This date in 1890 is celebrated as the birth date of Minnie Smith, a Black teacher and administrator. Minnie Beatrice Smith graduated from Howard University in 1912 when only 1/3 of 1% of African Americans and 5% of whites of eligible age attended college. She taught at the Mott School while attending college. When hearing plans of […]

Elizabeth City State University is Founded

*Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) was founded on this date in 1891. ECSU is one of over 100 historically Black Colleges and Universities in America.

This took place when House Bill 383 was enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly, establishing a Normal School for the specific purpose of “teaching and training teachers of the colored race to teach in the common schools of North Carolina.” When it first began operation on January 4, 1892, ECSU had 23 students, two faculty members, rented quarters, and a budget of $900.

North Carolina A&T University Begins Classes

*On this date in 1891, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University was founded. They are one of over 100 historically Black colleges and unversities in America.

West Virginia State University is Founded

*On this date in 1891, West Virginia State University was founded. It is one of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America.

Bessie Burke, Los Angeles Educator born

*The birth of Bessie Bruington Burke, in 1891, is celebrated on this date. She was a Black educator and administrator, from Los Angeles, California.

Douglass H. S. (Oklahoma City) Opens

*Frederick A. Douglass High School is celebrated on this date in 1891. It was a public high school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and began as a segregated school. The Frederick A. Douglass School, initially called the Colored School, opened in Oklahoma City in 1898 between Robinson and Harvey Avenues on California Street. The original school […]

Delaware State University is Founded

Delaware State University was founded on this date in 1891.

The Morrill Act of 1890 established the State College for Colored Students, now known as Delaware State University. Five courses of study leading to a baccalaureate degree were offered: Agricultural, Chemical, Classical, Engineering, and Science. The college graduated its first class of degree candidates in May 1898. The normal course of study was extended to four years in 1911. In 1947, the name of the institution was changed to “Delaware State College” by legislative action.

Alma Thomas, Artist, and Instructor born

*On this date in 1891, Alma Thomas was born. She was an African American Painter and instructor.

From Columbus, Georgia, Thomas moved to Washington as a young girl. In 1924 she became the first graduate of the art department of Howard University and ten years later received an M. A. from Columbia University. She taught art at Shaw Junior High School in the nations capitol for thirty-six years until she retired in 1960 to devote her energies to painting. During her long tenure at Shaw, Thomas was a dedicated and imaginative teacher.

Charles Wesley, Black Studies Educator born

*This date marks the birth of Charles Harris Wesley in 1891. He was an African American historian, educator, and minister who was an early proponent of African American studies.

Byron Armstrong, Educator born

*Byron Armstrong was born on this date in 1892. He was a Black scholar, educator, and administrator. Byron Kenneth Armstrong was born in Westfield, Indiana, in 1892. He attended Howard University in 1909, where he met Elder Watson Diggs. At the end of the Spring term of 1910, Armstrong visited his cousin, Irven Armstrong, at Indiana University. […]

Winston-Salem State University Begins Classes

*Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) was founded on this date in 1892. It is one of over 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America.   WSSU began as the Slater Industrial Academy by Simon Green Atkins in Winston Salem, N.C. Atkins had an audacious vision to create an institution where every student would meet the challenges of the […]

Mary Holmes College is Founded

On this date’s Registry, we celebrate the founding of Mary Holmes College in 1892. It is one of over 100 Historical Black Colleges and University in America.

Lillian Morris LeMon, Pianist, and Educator born

*Lillian Morris LeMon was born on this date in 1894. She was a Black pianist, music teacher, and administrator. Born Lillian Morris in Louisville, KY, her parents were William and Ada. Like many Blacks, the Morris went north in the early 20th century with the great migration, arriving in Indianapolis by 1902. She graduated from […]