01 January African-American History Facts

This Day In AAH...

1808

The abolition of the international slave trade was took effect. Although slavery as an institution would continue until 1865, it would be illegal for newly-captured Africans to be enslaved in America.

1809

The African Female Benevolent Society was founded in Newport, RI, by a group of black women who focused on helping black children with clothing and education.

1854

Lincoln University, the oldest historically black college/university (HBCU), was incorporated.

1860

Black codes were enacted to prevent free blacks from working on boats/ships that sailed in the waterways of Arkansas.

1863

The day that the first Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln was to go into effect. Its purpose was to free the slaves only in the states that were in rebellion against the Union.

1842

Samuel D. Ferguson, born on this day in Charleston, SC, became the first black person to be elected a bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States in 1885.

1916

The first issue of the Journal of Negro History was published by Dr. Carter G. Woodson.

1929

The Prairie View Bowl was the first bowl game held at an HBCU.

1947

Claude “Buddy” Young was the first, black football player to score a touchdown in the Rose Bowl.

1948

Wally Triplett and Dennie Hoggard of Penn State were the first, African-American players to play in the Cotton Bowl.

1966

The seventh and last day of Kwanzaa was celebrated for the first time.

1967

Richard G. Hatcher became the first, black mayor of Gary, IN.

1990

Fashion designer Patrick Kelly died at the age of 35.

2005

Shirley Chisholm, the first, black congresswoman (D-NY) and who also ran for the U.S. presidential nomination in 1972, died in Daytona Beach, FL at the age of 80.

Faydra D. Fields

holds a degree in African-American Studies from Howard University in Washington, DC.

What are your thoughts about this list? Do you have any other facts that should be included?

Get daily, weekly or monthly (your choice) email updates when New Content Is Posted...

"*" indicates required fields

We never share your information with anyone else for any reason whatsoever.