Black - African American History Facts

Blacks began a nearly week-long protest convention at the Zion Church of Charleston, SC, on this date in 1865. They wanted equal rights and the repeal of the "Black Codes," which restricted the movement and freedom of freedmen.

Howard University, located in Washington, DC, was founded on this date in 1866. The school was originally named Howard Theological Seminary.

Charles Sidney Gilpin, actor and star in Eugene Oneill's Emperor Jones, was born in Richmond, VA, on this date in 1878. Gilpin was awarded the NAACP Spingarn Medal in 1921.

Pauli Murray, author and the first black female Episcopal Priest in the United States, was born in Baltimore, MD, on this date in 1910.

Garrett A. Morgan patented the Traffic Signal on this date in 1923. This three-way signal completely changed traffic control and was sold to General Electric for $40,000. Patent # 1,475,024.

President John F. Kennedy ordered the end of racial discrimination in federally financed housing on this date in 1962.

Jennifer Josephine Hosten, flight attendant and Grenada native, became the first black woman to win the "Miss World Pageant" on this date in 1970.

Walter Payton set the NFL single-game rushing record with 275 yards on this date in 1977.