*Alfred Masters was born on this date in 1916. He was a Black soldier. He was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma, and earned a B.A. in education at Langston University. Masters was one of the first Black members of the American Marine Corps. At his swearing-in on June 1, 1942, in Oklahoma City, he had his […]
learn more*Jerry Rawlings was born on this date in 1947. He was a Black Ghanaian military officer, aviator, and politician. Jerry John Rawlings was born in Accra, Ghana, to Victoria Agbotui, an Anlo Ewe from Dzelukope, Keta, and James Ramsey John, a British chemist from Scotland. His father never lived with him and his mother and […]
learn moreWallace Collier was an E8 sergeant in the United States Army during three wars. In this segment, he shares part of his military experiences.
learn more*Menelik II was born on this date in 1844. He was a Black African king of Shewa and Emperor of Ethiopia. Menelik was the son of the Shewan Amhara king, Negus Haile Melekot. He was born in Ethiopia, where, as a boy, he enjoyed a respected position and received a traditional church education. In 1855, […]
learn more*Charles Walter David Jr. was born on this date in 1917. He was a Black sailor. David served as a Steward’s Mate in the United States Coast Guard and died of pneumonia after rescuing other sailors from the frigid North Atlantic. He was assigned to the USCGC Comanche during World War II, where he was […]
learn more*Andrew Frazier’s birth is celebrated on this date in 1743. He was a Black enslaved laborer and soldier. Born at the Manor of Morrisania, New York, Frazier served in the Revolutionary War first as a “waggoner” or wagon driver, then as a “waiter” or body servant to Colonel Morris Graham and was at the Battles […]
learn more*Joseph McNeil was born on this date in 1942. He is a Black retired military officer and college activist. Joseph Alfred McNeil was born in Wilmington, North Carolina. He grew up in Wilmington and was president of his parish’s Catholic Youth Council. McNeil attended Williston Senior High School, a Black school, where instructors taught their […]
learn more*The Sixth Regiment, United States Volunteer Infantry, was formed on this date in 1898. Also known as the ‘Sixth Immunes,’ they were mustered into service that summer and served their term of service in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. The Sixth was one of ten volunteer infantry regiments authorized by President McKinley during the […]
learn more*On May 1, 1863, the Corps d’Afrique was mustered into service. This Black Corps served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The Corps d’Afrique was formed from the four infantry regiments of the Louisiana Native Guard raised by Major General Benjamin F. Butler and the five colored infantry regiments raised by Brigadier […]
learn more*The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, began on this date in 1967. It was a civil war fought between Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra. This secessionist state had declared its independence from Nigeria earlier in 1967. General Yakubu Gowon and Biafra led Nigeria by Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Ojukwu. The conflict […]
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