13th Amendment| December 18th, 1865
13th Amendment| US Constitution
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
On December 18th, 1865: The 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in the United States, was officially adopted into the United States Constitution. This day marked a new chapter, closing one of the darkest periods in American history and affirming the resilience and humanity of millions of enslaved Nuwaubians.
While the abolition of slavery was a major step forward, we honor this day by acknowledging the sacrifices of our ancestors and the ongoing journey for equality, justice, and freedom for all. Let’s continue their legacy, fighting for the dreams they could not live but hoped we would achieve.
💪🏾 "None are free until all are free." 💪🏾
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Lift Every Voice and Sing| James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson
"Lift Every Voice and Sing," often referred to as the "Black National Anthem," was composed by James Weldon Johnson (lyrics) and his brother John Rosamond Johnson (music). Originally written as a poem, it was performed by a group of 500 Black children at the Stanton School in Jacksonville, Florida, where James Weldon Johnson was the principal.
The occasion was a celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. Later, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) adopted the song as the Black National Anthem. In calling for earth and heaven to “ring with the harmonies of Liberty,” the lyrics spoke out subtly against racism and Jim Crow laws — and especially the huge number of lynchings accompanying the rise of the Klan at the turn of the century.
Honoring Janet Collins: Trailblazing Ballerina and First Black Dancer with the Metropolitan Opera
November 13 marks a significant day in the history of dance and the broader arts community. On this day in 1951, Janet Collins, a dancer of exceptional talent and resilience, became the first Black ballerina to perform with the prestigious Metropolitan Opera in New York City, appearing in the role of Princess Aida in Verdi's famous opera. Her debut was more than just a personal victory—it was a powerful breakthrough in the arts, challenging norms and opening doors for generations to come.
Granville T. Woods: The Visionary Who Electrified the Future of Transportation
Granville T. Woods, often celebrated as the "Black Edison," was a pioneering African American inventor who transformed public transportation with his invention of the electric railway, patented on November 10, 1891. Facing significant racial and economic barriers, Woods’ ingenuity and resilience allowed him to secure over 50 patents throughout his career, impacting telecommunication, rail systems, and electric power transmission. His third-rail system became foundational for modern electric trains, reshaping urban transit with efficiency and safety. Woods' legacy continues to inspire, embodying the power of innovation to uplift communities and drive progress. His story is not only one of technological achievement but also a testament to perseverance and the profound contributions of Black inventors to our modern world
Celebrating Benjamin Banneker: A Legacy of Genius
On November 9, 1731, Benjamin Banneker was born. Banneker was an extraordinary self-taught inventor, mathematician, and astronomer, known for his role in helping to survey and plan the layout of Federal City (known today as Washington, D.C.). Banneker’s achievements were remarkable, especially considering the limited educational resources available to NUwaubian people in America at that time. He built one of the first fully functional clocks in America, conducted important astronomical calculations that accurately predicted solar eclipses, and published a series of almanacs that included his astronomical observations, weather forecasts, and personal reflections.
Frank Robinson: The Trailblazing Legend Who Changed Baseball Forever
Frank Robinson was a trailblazing figure in Major League Baseball, known for both his exceptional talent and his role in breaking racial barriers. Over a 21-year career, he played for five teams and became the only player to win the MVP award in both the National and American Leagues. Robinson made history in 1975 as MLB's first Black manager while continuing to contribute to the game in various executive roles after his playing days. His 586 career home runs and leadership on and off the field solidify his legacy as a symbol of perseverance and excellence in baseball history.
Historic Little Rock Central High| The Little Rock Nine
On September 25, 1957, nine students, known as the Little Rock Nine, integrated Little Rock Central High School. This historic event marked a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement, as these nine students faced severe resistance and hostility while desegregating the city’s largest public high school, following the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.
Remembering the 1963 Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing: A Tragic Turning Point in the Civil Rights Movement
On the morning of Sunday, September 15, 1963, a horrific act of violence shook Birmingham, Alabama, and the nation to its core. A white man was seen placing a box under the steps of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, the largest Black church in the city. Moments later, the explosives hidden inside the box detonated, shattering the peaceful atmosphere of the church, and leaving devastation in its wake. Panic and fear quickly spread among the congregants and when the dust settled, four young girls—Carol Denise McNair (11), Addie Mae Collins (14), Carole Robertson (14), and Cynthia Wesley (14)—had been killed in the blast. More than 20 others were injured in the explosion that forever scarred the city and the civil rights movement.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson
The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), later The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.), William B. Hartgrove, Dr. George Cleveland Hall and Alexander L. Jackson (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc./Honorary), and James. E. Stamps (Kappa Alpha Psi/Sigma Pi Phi) in Chicago, IL on September 9, 1915. Woodson, often referred to as the "Father of Black History," created the organization to promote the scholarly study and appreciation of African American history, culture, and life. ASNLH has played a pivotal role in the institutionalization of Black history in the U.S., including the establishment of what is now known as Black History Month.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' Speech: A Defining Moment in the Fight for Civil Rights
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This momentous event, attended by over 250,000 people, became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement, symbolizing the struggle for racial equality in the United States. King's speech, with its powerful rhetoric and visionary message, called for an end to racism and for the realization of a society where individuals would be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin.
Nat Turner's Rebellion: A Defining Moment in the Struggle Against Slavery
Nat Turner's rebellion, which began on August 21, 1831, in Southampton County, Virginia, was one of the most significant and violent slave uprisings in American history. Turner, a deeply religious and literate enslaved man, believed he was called by God to lead the revolt, interpreting a solar eclipse as a divine sign. Along with approximately fifty other enslaved individuals, Turner led a two-day insurrection, moving from plantation to plantation, killing around fifty whites and freeing slaves. The rebellion was swiftly crushed, and Turner was captured after two months. His subsequent execution on November 11, 1831, marked the brutal end of the revolt. The aftermath saw severe reprisals against Blacks, with widespread killings and the imposition of stricter laws to further curtail their rights and freedoms. Turner's insurrection highlighted the deep-seated tensions over slavery and foreshadowed the broader conflicts that would lead to the Civil War.
Louisiana Freedom Summer
Louisiana Freedom Summer, also known as CORE’s Louisiana Project, was a Civil Rights campaign in Louisiana during the summer of 1964. It co-occurred simultaneously with the more famous Mississippi Freedom Summer Project. Like its Mississippi counterpart, the Project relied on volunteers from across the United States working in Louisiana Parishes (Counties) on various racial justice efforts.
To learn more about Louisiana Freedom Summer visit Black Past!