Black Saga February 8

Colonial Times

100

On February 18, 1688, what group adopted the first formal anti-slavery resolution in American history? They called slavery the “traffic of mensbody.”

Quakers

200

In 1641, what colony was the first to make slavery a legal institution.

Massachusetts

300

This black person fought during the Revolutionary War. He was credited with forcing the British troops to regroup and giving the outnumbered colonial troops time to retreat rather than surrender. A monument is erected in his honor at Framingham, Massachusetts. Name this Revolutionary War hero.

Peter Salem

400

This country became a dominant player in the European slave trade during the 18th century. In fact, by 1788, more than 60 percent of enslaved Africans brought by this country to the Americas were sold to colonies controlled by other countries. What country dominated the European slave trade in the 18th century?

England

500

In 1783, this wealthy free black merchant and other free blacks of Dartmouth, Massachusetts protested to the state legislature that they were being taxed without representation. The courts decided that black men who paid taxes in Massachusetts could vote there. Name this merchant and leader.

Paul Cuffe

Slavery

100

“Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Steal Away” are songs that have two or more meanings-- the possibility of escape to freedom on earth as well as the freedom promised in heaven. Other songs, distinctively African American in style, were actually comments on the slave system. W.E.B. Du Bois called these songs “sorrow songs” but are also known by another name. What is the other name given to these songs?

spirituals

200

This African American carpenter purchased his freedom in 1800 with the winnings from a lottery ticket. He urged other blacks to demand equality. In 1822, he plotted to free enslaved black people in Charleston, S.C. but was betrayed by a co-conspirator. He was hanged along with many of his followers. Name the leader of this rebellion.

Denmark Vesey

300

This was one of the most common staple foods for enslaved Africans. In fact, they received a typical weekly ration of about a peck (16 pounds). They would generally mix it with salt and water and make pones, johnny cakes, dodgers, or hoecake. Name this food.

corn or cornmeal

400

In 1841, a slave ship on its way from Hampton, Virginia to New Orleans, Louisiana was taken over by enslaved Africans and sailed to the Bahamas--a British possession. There, they were given their freedom because Britain had outlawed slavery in all its territories. Name this slave ship that enslaved Africans took over.

Creole Note: Another ship the Amistad went to court and they were allowed to return to Africa.

500

This school teacher, a member of the Society of Friends, tried to establish a school for enslaved blacks in Greensboro, North Carolina but slaveholders would not allow them to attend. He then moved to Newport, Indiana in 1826 where he became a major conductor of the Underground Railroad, helping as many as 3,000 runaways escape to freedom. Many of them stayed at his home on their way to freedom. He later moved to Cincinnati where he continued to help enslaved runaways. Name him.

Levi Coffin

Inventors

100

1887, he obtained Patent No. 315,368 for the “telegraphony,” a device that received and transmitted Morse code or voice messages between moving trains and between trains and stations. His invention significantly reduced the number of train accidents. Name him.

Granville T. Woods

200

This black man invented the “shoe-lasting machine”, a machine that revolutionized the shoe industry. His invention cut the price of shoes by more than 50 percent, doubled wages in the industry, and improved working conditions for those in the shoe industry. Name this inventor.

Jan Matzliger

300

This black American, born the son of fugitive slaves who had escaped from Kentucky to Canada, becomes of the most noted inventors when he receives a patent for his “lubricator cup” invention in 1872. His invention allows for moving trains to be oiled without stopping. During his lifetime, he had more than 42 inventions. Name him.

Elijah McCoy

400

This African American received as many as 61 patents. In 1935, he developed the first automatic refrigeration system for trucks--an invention that changed the eating habits of the entire nation. He later developed air conditioning units for military field hospitals and field kitchens. He received little credit for his accomplishments during his life; however, in 1991, the National Medal of Technology was awarded to him–30 years after his death. Name this inventor.

Frederick McKinley Jones

500

In 1835, who was the second known black person in the U.S. to receive a patent? He was granted patents for two inventions, the mechanical corn planter (1835) and the cotton planter (1836).

Henry Blair

Firsts in Education

100

In 1823, this African American was the first of his race to graduate from an American college. He received an A.B. degree from Middlebury College in Vermont. In 1836, he was elected to the Vermont State Legislature–becoming the first African American state legislator in this country. He served only one year. Name him.

Alexander Lucius

200

In 1915, the first Black Catholic College in the United States opened in New Orleans, Louisiana. Name it.

Xavier University

300

She became the first black woman lawyer when she graduated from Howard University Law School in 1872. Barriers to setting up a law practice were too difficult to overcome at the time so she became a teacher in the Brooklyn, New York schools. Name her.

Charlotte E. Ray

400

These two African Americans were the first to earn a Ph.D. The first was a priest who received his Ph.D. from the University of Louvain in Belgium in 1865. The other was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in the United States, when he was awarded a degree in physics from Yale University in 1876. Name these two individuals, respectively.

Father Patrick Healy and Edward Bouchet

500

What African American became the first of his race to graduate from an American medical school? He received his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago. Name him.

David John Peck Note: Another man, James McCune Smith was the first African American medical doctor but her got his medical degree in Scotland

Sports and Entertainment

100

This African American became the first of his race to coach a predominantly white professional National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball team. He had been one of basketball's most successful centers. Name the coach and his team.

Bill Russell, Boston Celtics

200

In 1991, this famous African American playwright won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play, The Piano Lesson. At 44 years of age, he joined an exclusive group of playwrights who have won two Pulitzer prizes. He had won his first Pulitzer in 1987 for his dramatic play Fences. Who is this famous playwright?

August Wilson

300

He is one of the most successful executives in the National Football League today. He started his football career as a tight-end with the Cleveland Browns. He became director of player personnel for the Baltimore Ravens and in 2002 was selected the first black person named as a NFL General Manager. Name him.

Ozzie Newsome

400

On May 1, 1884 this baseball catcher made his professional major league debut with Toledo in an American Association game. As a result, he became the first black player in organized baseball history. Name him.

Moses Fleetwood Walker

500

This famous jazz singer’s sad life is described in her autobiography, Lady Sings The Blues. She appeared with Count Basie’s orchestra and had many hit records including "God Bless the Child." She was called “Lady Day.” Who was she?

Billie Holiday