People, Locations, Episodes

Oliver Law, Military Officer born

*Oliver Law was born on this date in 1900. He was an African American soldier and military leader. He was the first Black man to lead an integrated military force in the history of the United States.

Albert J. Luthuli, South African Leader born

This date celebrates the birth of Albert John Luthuli in 1899. He was a Bblack South African leader and Nobel recipient.

James Nabrit Jr., Attorney born

*On this date in 1900, James Nabrit Jr. was born. He was a Black civil rights attorney and university administrator.   James Madison Nabrit Jr. was born in Georgia, the son of James Nabrit, a Baptist minister and baker, and Gertrude Augusta West. His father became President of the American Baptist Institute in Nashville and Secretary of the […]

Hubert Delany, Lawyer, and Judge born

*Hubert Delany was born on this date in 1901. He was a Black lawyer, politician, and judge. From North Carolina, Hubert Thomas Delany was the eighth of ten children born to the Rev. Henry Beard Delany and Nannette James Logan Delany, an educator. His father was born into slavery in St. Mary’s, Georgia. Delany was born and […]

Learie Constantine, Cricket Player, and Politician born

*Learie Constantine was born on this date in 1901. He was a Black cricket player, broadcast journalist, administrator, lawyer, and politician.

The Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School Opens

*This date in 1901 celebrates the establishment of Fort Des Moines Provisional Army Officer Training School, a military base and training facility on the south side of Des Moines, Iowa. There have been three forts called Fort Des Moines. Fort Des Moines No. 1 (1834–1837), a U.S. Army post that grew into Montrose, Iowa, and […]

Louis L. Redding, Lawyer born

Louis L. Redding, prominent African American lawyer and civil rights pioneer, was born on this date in 1901.

Strom Thurmond, Segregationist born

*Strom Thurmond Sr. was born on this date in 1902. He was a white-American racial segregationist, lawyer, teacher, judge, and politician.   James Strom Thurmond was born in Edgefield, South Carolina, the son of Eleanor Gertrude and John William Thurmond, a lawyer. His ancestry included English and German.  When Thurmond was five, his family moved into a larger home with about […]

Mercer Cook, Educator, and Ambassador born

*On this date in 1903, Mercer Cook was born. He was an African American educator and ambassador.

Alfred E. Smith, Administrator born

Alfred E. Smith was born on this date in 1903. He was an African American administrative activist.

From Hot Springs, Arkansas, he left his hometown at the age of seventeen to attend Howard University in Washington, D. C. In 1932, Smith received his master’s degree in history, and for the following year he worked as a substitute teacher in the Washington public schools. He then joined the Federal Works Progress Administration, beginning a life-long career in public service. Smith began as Assistant to the Director of the Negro Works, Federal Emergency Relief Administration.

Ralph J. Bunche, Diplomat born

*Ralph J. Bunche was born on this date in1904; he was an African American scholar and diplomat, known for his work in the United Nations and the first Black to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Arthur D. Shores, Lawyer, and Activist born

*Arthur D. Shores was born on this date in 1904.  He was a Black attorney and civil rights activist.   Arthur Davis Shores was born in Wenonah, in Jefferson County, Alabama.  His parents were Richard and Pauline Shores, and he was the oldest of nine children. Shores had a middle-class upbringing and were fortunate to attend a segregated high school run by […]

William H. Hastie, Judge and Administrator born

On this date in 1904, William H. Hastie was born. He was an African American attorney, judge and magistrate, and state government executive.

Leon Jordan, Teacher, and Police Detective born

Leon Jordan was born on this date in 1905. He was an African American teacher, police detective and politician.

Born in Kansas City, MO., Jordan graduated from Wilberforce University, in Wilberforce, Ohio, and later worked as a social caseworker and teacher. In 1938, he joined the Kansas City Police Department, aftrer 16 years becoming the first African American to achieve the rank of lieutenant. He was granted an extended leave of absence in 1947, and lived for eight years in the West African country of Liberia, where he reorganized a 450-man police force.

Robert Nix Sr., Congressman born

*Robert Nelson Cornelius Nix Sr., was born on this date in 1905. He was an African American politician and the first Black congressman from Pennsylvania,