Historical Events
This cultural movement of the 1920s and 1930s saw a flourishing of Black art, literature, and music in New York City, with figures like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston leading the way.
What is the Harlem Renaissance?
In 2005, she became the first African American woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, playing a key role in foreign policy during the George W. Bush administration.
Who is Condoleeza Rice?
Known as the "Black Edison," this inventor held over 50 patents, including improvements to the railway telegraph system, which helped make train travel safer.
Who is Granville T. Woods?
This Catholic priest was a leading figure in Milwaukee’s civil rights movement, organizing marches and protests to fight for fair housing in the 1960s.
Who is Father James Groppi?
This African American woman became the first female self-made millionaire in the U.S. through her successful line of beauty and hair care products for Black women.
Who is Madame C.J. Walker?
In 1839, a group of Africans aboard a Spanish ship revolted against their captors, leading to a famous U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled in their favor, granting them freedom.
What is the Amistad Rebellion?
In 1967, he became the first African American Justice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, after successfully arguing Brown v. Board of Education, which ended racial segregation in schools.
Who is Thurgood Marshall?
At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, this African American track and field star won four gold medals, challenging Adolf Hitler’s vision of racial superiority.
Who is Jesse Owens?
This civil rights activist was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington and was a key figure in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
Who is Mary Lou Mahone?
This trailblazing actor became the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964 for his role in Lilies of the Field.
Who is Sidney Poitier?
Between 1916 and 1919, thousands of African Americans moved from the rural South to Northern cities like Chicago and Detroit in search of better job opportunities and to escape racial discrimination.
What is The Great Migration of 1916-1919?
She was the First African American woman in Congress
Who is Shirley Chisholm?
This African American physician and scientist revolutionized blood banking and plasma storage, saving countless lives during World War II.
Who is Charles Richard Drew?
This abolitionist and women's rights activist is famous for her 1851 speech, "Ain't I a Woman?" which challenged both racial and gender inequalities.
Who is Sojourner Truth?
This African American explorer is best known for being one of the first people to reach the North Pole in 1909, alongside Robert Peary.
Who is Matthew Henson?
In 2008, this politician made history by becoming the first African American to be elected as the 44th President of the United States.
Who is Barack Obama?
In 1972, this trailblazing woman became the first African American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas and was known for her powerful speeches on justice and democracy.
Who is Barbara Jordan?
In 1983, this aerospace engineer and former Air Force pilot became the first African American to travel to space aboard the Challenger shuttle.
Who is Guion Bluford?
This investigative journalist and activist was a fierce opponent of lynching and co-founded the NAACP in 1909.
Who is Ida B. Wells?
These educational programs were created in 1963 to provide African American children with an alternative to the segregated school system and teach them about civil rights and history.
What is Freedom Schools of 1963?
On October 16, 1995, this historic gathering brought hundreds of thousands of Black men to Washington, D.C., to promote unity, family values, and social justice.
What is The Million Man March?
In 2001, he made history as the first African American to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State, after previously being a four-star general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Who is Colin Powell?
This renowned neurosurgeon made history in 1987 by successfully leading the first separation of conjoined twins who were attached at the head.
Who is Dr. Ben Carson?
This scholar and co-founder of the NAACP was the first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard and advocated for political and social equality for Black Americans.
Who is W.E.B. DuBois?
This African American businessman founded Ebony and Jet magazines, becoming one of the most influential Black media moguls in history.
Who is John Johnson?