Inventions
Activists
Artists
Athletes
100
Lonnie Johnson was working at NASA when he developed this invention, which kids use to cool off in the summer!
Super Soaker / Water Gun
100
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in this US City
Washington, D.C.
100
Maya Angelou's first body of work is titled "I Know why the Caged (This animal)" sings.
Bird
100
Jesse Owens represented the United States when he won four of these at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Gold Medals
200
Mark Dean helped co-create IBM's original personal computer, and invented a color version of this part of a computer, letting us see things in a new way!
Color monitor/screen
200
Frederick Douglass did not know his own birthday, so he chose to celebrate it on this day, because his mother called him her "little Valentine".
February 14th
200
This hip hop duo featuring Andre 3000 and Big Boi started in Atlanta, Georgia in 1992, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025. Some of their hit songs include "Ms. Jackson" and "Hey Ya!"
Outkast
200
Simone Biles is the most decorated athlete in this sport.
Gymnastics
300
Driving in a car is much safer now, thanks to Garrett Morgan, who invented this signal, seen at busy intersections.
Traffic Light
300
Bessie Coleman was the first African American and Native American woman to hold this type of license
Pilot/Flying
300
This Woodstock performer was also the first person inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame
Jimi Hendrix
300
Lebron James has played for several NBA Teams, including the Cleveland Cavalliers, L.A. Lakers, and this Florida team.
Miami Heat
400
Madam C.J. Walker was the first African-American woman to become a self-made millionaire, thanks to products designed for this.(Hint: you might find her products in a beauty aisle)
Hair
400
People escaping slavery often travelled this secret trail, which had a "stop" just north of Buffalo, in Lewiston, NY, where they were able to cross into Canada.
Underground Railroad
400
In 2018, this rapper became the first non-classical or jazz musician to recieve the Pulitzer Prize for Music
Kendrick Lamar / K.Dot
400
Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play Major League Baseball when he joined the Dodgers, a team representing this New York City borough.
Brooklyn
500
Some people attribute the invention of peanut butter to this man, but he was responsible for much more! He created 518 products from peanut and sweet potato crops, including dye, synthetic rubber, flour, vinegar, and soap!
George Washington Carver
500
Shirley Chisholm was the first African-American Woman elected to this branch of government.
Congress
500
Buffalo-based artist Leroi Johnson is brothers with this "Super Freak"
Rick James
500
Laila Edwards recently made history in the 2026 Winter Olympics by being the first black woman to win a gold medal USA in this team sport.
Ice Hockey