People, Locations, Episodes

Willie Galloway, WW I Soldier born

*Willie Galloway was born on this date in 1895. He was a Black farmer and soldier who was born in Gilmore, MO, and later lived in adjacent Wentzville, MO. William “Willie” Galloway’s parents were Edward and Phoebe Galloway, who lived east of Hopewell Baptist Church on Highway N. He had two brothers, Moses and Louis. […]

The Rufus Buck Gang, a story

*The Rufus Buck Gang was formed on July 30, 1895. They were American Creek Indian and African outlaw criminals. Their only crime spree occurred in the Indian Territory of Arkansas and Oklahoma in the summer of 1895. Rufus Buck formed the gang of Lewis Davis, Sam Sampson, Maoma July, and Lucky Davis. The gang began […]

Charles H. Houston, Lawyer born

*This date marks the birth of Charles Hamilton Houston in 1895. He was one of the most important African American lawyers of the twentieth century.

Eugene Bullard, Aviator born

Eugene Bullard was born on this date in 1895. He was an African American aviator and, according to many, the first Black military pilot.

Milton Margai, Prime Minister born

*Sir Milton Margai was born on this date in 1895. He was a Black African politician. Margai was born in Gbangabatoke in the Banta Chiefdom, Moyamba District of Sierra Leone. He was the eldest son of a businessman, M.E.S. Margai of Bonthe, and his grandfather was a Mende warrior chief. He received primary and secondary education at the […]

Joseph Danquah, Politician and Lawyer born

*Joseph Danquah was born on this date in 1895. He was an African politician, scholar, lawyer, and statesman. He was a politician in pre- and post-colonial Ghana, formerly the Gold Coast, and gave Ghana its current name. Joseph Kwame Kyeretwie Boakye Danquah was born in Bepong in Kwahu in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He was […]

The 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps is formed

*On this date in 1896, the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps was formed, the first of its kind in the country. This predominately Black regiment was part of the United States Army. Fort Missoula’s 2nd Lieutenant James A. Moss, a native of Louisiana and a West Point graduate, led the Corps. He was an avid cyclist […]

The Supreme Court Upholds Plessy v. Ferguson

On this date in 1896, the Supreme Court upheld Plessy v. Ferguson. This “separate but equal” Louisiana decree marked the formal beginning of Jim Crow Laws and an end to Reconstruction.

Alfred Gomes, Lawyer, Activist born

*Alfred J. Gomes was born on this date in 1897. He was an African American Attorney, and activist.

‘Bull’ Connor, Segregationist born

*’Bull’ Connor was born on this date in 1897. He was a white-American politician who served as the Commissioner of Public Safety for Birmingham, Alabama, for over two decades.   Theophilus Eugene ‘Bull’ Connor was born in Selma, Alabama, the son of Molly (Godwin) and Hugh King Connor, a train dispatcher and telegraph operator.  He […]

Richard Russell Jr., Politician born.

*Richard Russell Jr. was born on this date in 1897. He was a white-American politician and segregationist. Richard Brevard Russell Jr. was born in Winder, Georgia, the first son of Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard B. Russell Sr. and Ina Dillard Russell. Throughout his childhood, his father made multiple attempts to run for higher […]

Raymond P. Alexander, Lawyer, and Judge born

This date marks the birth of Raymond Pace Alexander in 1898. He was a lawyer, politician, and judge and the first African American to hold a position on the Common Pleas Court of Philadelphia.

Edith Sampson, Lawyer, Judge born

On this date in 1898, Edith Sampson was born in Pittsburgh, the first black woman elected judge to a municipal court.

She was born Edith Spurlock, one of seven children. Her father, Louis Spurlock, earned $75 per month as a shipping clerk in a cleaning, pressing, and dyeing business. Her mother, Elizabeth Spurlock, worked at home making buckram hat frames and twisting switches of false hair.

Edith graduated from Peabody High School, and three years later married Rufus Sampson, a field agent for the Tuskegee Institute.

Duke Slater, Athlete, and Judge born

*”Duke” Slater was born on this date in 1898. He was a Black football player and judge.   Frederick Wayman “Duke” Slater was born in Normal, Illinois, the son of George Slater, a Methodist minister. As a boy, he picked up the name of the family dog, Duke, as a personal nickname and would carry it all his life. […]

Eunice Carter, Prosecutor born.

Eunice Hunton Carter was born on this date in 1899. She was an African American lawyer and the first Black woman to be a district attorney in the state of New York.