People, Locations, Episodes

George Haynes, Urban League Co-Founder born

*The birth of George Haynes in 1880 is celebrated on this date. He was an African American social worker, educator, and cofounder and first executive director of the National Urban League.

Pullman, Illinois is Built

*The industrial town of Pullman, Illinois had its beginning on this date in 1880. Pullman was an urban town within the city of Chicago where African American Pullman Porters lived.

Chester Franklin, Journalist, and Publisher born

Chester Arthur Franklin, an African American businessman, was born on this date in 1880.

Carl Van Vechten, Photographer, and Writer born

*Carl Van Vechten was born on this date in 1880. He was a White American Photographer and writer whose photographs gave legitimate exposure to the Black experience in America.

George Herriman, Cartoonist born

*George Herriman was born on this date in 1880. He was an African American cartoonist whose comic strip Krazy Kat has been said by many to be America’s greatest cartoon.

The Grand Fountain United Order of True Reformers Begins

*On this date in 1881 we mark the founding of The Grand Fountain United Order of True Reformers (GFUOTR). This was a Fraternal Organization of African Americans based in Richmond, Virginia during Reconstruction.

William Pickens, Journalist, and Educator born

*William Pickens was born on this date in 1881. He was a Black author, educator, journalist, and essayist.   William Pickens was born near Pendleton in Anderson County, South Carolina. He was the sixth of ten children born to former slaves Jacob and Fannie Pickens. His father was a tenant farmer, and his mother worked as a […]

James and Ethel Beck, Educators born

*The lives of James Garfield Beck and Ethel Benson Beck from 1881 are celebrated on this date. They were African American educators and entrepreneurs.

The ‘Memphis Free Speech’ Newspaper is Founded

*This date in 1881 celebrates the publication of the Memphis Free Speech newspaper. This was a Black newspaper founded in Memphis, Tennessee, by the Reverend Taylor Nightingale, based at the Beale Street Baptist Church. In 1888, the publication’s name was changed to the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight when J. L. Fleming joined Nightingale, a newspaperman from […]

John Sommerville, Los Angeles Businessman born.

John Sommerville’s birth in 1881 is marked on this date. He was an African American businessman and politician.

Julian Abele, Architect born

*Julian Abele was born on this date in 1881. He was an African American architect.

From South Philadelphia, Julian Francis Abele was the son of Charles R. and Mary A. Abele. He was educated at the Institute for Colored Youth before entering the University of Pennsylvania in 1898. He was the first African American to graduate from the Pennsylvania School of Fine Arts and Architecture in 1902. That year he was asked by Horace Trumbauer to join his firm, which had been exclusively white up to that point. Trumbauer sent Abele to Paris to study at L’Ecole des Beaux Arts.

The Atlanta Washerwomen’s Strike Occurs

*The Atlanta washerwomen’s strike occurred on this date in 1881. This boycott was a labor strike by washerwomen. The strike was primarily carried out by Black women, who argued for increased wages and greater autonomy in their work. Following the American Civil War, many Black women were washerwomen, also known as laundresses. More African American women […]

Joe Bartholomew, Golfer, and Golf Course Designer born

Joseph M. Bartholomew was born on this date in 1885. He was an African American golfer who specialized in designing golf courses.

Joe Bartholomew was born in New Orleans, and was a seven-year-old caddie at nearby Audubon Golf Course. Bartholomew copied the swings of the golfers for whom he caddied, taught himself the game’s touch, and quickly became skilled enough to instruct others. He became such a good player–he once shot 62 at Audubon–that club members backed him in arranged matches.

An Electric Light Bulb is Patented by a Black Man

*On this date in 1881 a Black man patented an electric light bulb.   Lewis Latimer an associate of Thomas Edison received credit for his blueprint work.  His patent number is #247 097.  

The Carbon Manufacturer Unit is Patented by a Black Man

*On this date in 1882, a Black man received a patent for a process to manufacture carbons.   Lewis Latimer received credit for this work.  The Patent number is #252,386.