Here's the story behind Black History Month — and why it's celebrated in February
Every February, the U.S. honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultu ...
Posted Saturday, February 18th 2023 at 10:56AM
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Shani Davis Wins Gold
On February 18, 2006 in Turin, Italy, Shani Davis became the first African American to win a Gold medal in an individual Winter Olympics.
Among many other accomplishments, Davis won the 2005 World Allround Championships in ...
Posted Saturday, February 18th 2023 at 10:42AM
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5 ex-cops charged over Tyre Nichols’ death plead not guilty
Story by Jacob Knutson •
Five former Memphis Police Department officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who died days after he was fatally beaten by ...
Posted Friday, February 17th 2023 at 5:02PM
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Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson gave her date of birth throughout her life as February 17, 1902. Following her death it was reported that her actual birth may have been February 27, 1897. Although there may be some confusion on her actual date of ...
Posted Friday, February 17th 2023 at 7:47AM
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This Day in Black History: Feb. 17, 1942
Huey P. Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, is born in Monroe, Louisiana.
Civil rights activist Huey P. Newton was born in Monroe, Louisiana on this day. Newton would go on to become a co-founde ...
Posted Friday, February 17th 2023 at 7:04AM
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Frederick Douglass
This Day in Black History: Feb. 16, 1874 Frederick Douglass was elected president of Freedman's Savings and Trust Company.
The Freedman's Savings and Trust Company was established as a secure banking institution where Black ...
Posted Thursday, February 16th 2023 at 5:37PM
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BLACK EQUITY: ROBERT L. JOHNSON CREATED THE MOST BLACK MILLIONAIRES IN US HISTORY AFTER SELLING BET
Black Entertainment Television (BET) founder and former Charlotte Bobcats owner Robert L. Johnson discussed the network’s creation and how its sale ...
Posted Thursday, February 16th 2023 at 5:13PM
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Claudia Jones
This Day In Black American History
Claudia Vera Jones (née Cumberbatch; 21 February 1915 – 24 December 1964) was a Trinidad and Tobago-born journalist and activist. As a child, she migrated with her family to the US, where she becam ...
Posted Wednesday, February 15th 2023 at 11:47AM
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THE TRAGIC DEATH OF NAT KING COLE EXPLAINED
Jazz singer Nat King Cole was best known for songs like "The Christmas Song" and "Ramblin' Rose" (via Billboard). He became a popular crooner in the 1950s, and made history when he became the first Black ...
Posted Wednesday, February 15th 2023 at 11:29AM
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This Day in Black History: Feb. 15, 1968
Henry Lewis became the first Black to lead a major American orchestra on Feb. 15, 1968.
Henry Lewis broke racial barriers on Feb. 15, 1968, when he was named director of the New Jersey Symphony, becoming t ...
Posted Wednesday, February 15th 2023 at 11:15AM
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Gregory Hines
American dancer, actor, and choreographer
Gregory Hines, in full Gregory Oliver Hines, (born February 14, 1946, New York, New York, U.S.—died August 9, 2003, Los Angeles, California), American tap dancer, actor, and choreographer wh ...
Posted Tuesday, February 14th 2023 at 4:25PM
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Black History Month: Celebrating Jerry Lawson, The Man Who Invented Video Games
Story by Stacey Henley •
It's Black History Month, and that means we're going to see a celebration of iconic Black figures like Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Jackie ...
Posted Tuesday, February 14th 2023 at 2:19PM
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Frederick Douglass
United States official and diplomat
Frederick Douglass, original name Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, (born February 1818, Talbot county, Maryland, U.S.—died February 20, 1895, Washington, D.C.), African American abolitio ...
Posted Tuesday, February 14th 2023 at 10:00AM
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Richard Allen
Born into slavery in 1760, Richard Allen later bought his freedom and went on to found the first national Black church in the United States, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1816.
Who Was Richard Allen?
Minister, educ ...
Posted Tuesday, February 14th 2023 at 9:21AM
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The Floacist
Natalie "the Floacist" Stewart (born 13 February 1979) is an English rapper, singer, songwriter, spoken word artist, poet, and actress. Born in Germany and raised in London, she performed in various singing and dancing competitions as ...
Posted Monday, February 13th 2023 at 8:39PM
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Rev. Henry Highland Garnet
A great orator of the 19th century, minister, abolitionist and educator (Rev. Henry Highland Garnet) died on February 13, 1882 in Monrovia, Liberia at age 66. Garnet became an advocate of militant abolitionism. As a mem ...
Posted Monday, February 13th 2023 at 7:04PM
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Oldest Black-Owned Businesses in America
Story by Craig Donofrio •
Black businesses are rich in history. From newspapers to banks to restaurants and more, Black-owned businesses are an integral part of American life.
Today, Black men and women ...
Posted Monday, February 13th 2023 at 4:43PM
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Little Known Black History Fact: Joseph Searles
On February 13, 1970, Joseph Searles became the first African American member of the New York Stock Exchange. The Kansas State University graduate was working as an aide for New York City Mayor John ...
Posted Monday, February 13th 2023 at 11:17AM
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1923 February 13 First all-Black professional basketball team organized
On February 13, 1923, the New York Renaissance, the first all-Black professional basketball team, is organized. The Renaissance, commonly called the Rens, become one of the do ...
Posted Monday, February 13th 2023 at 10:42AM
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Historical Highlights The First African American to Speak in the House Chamber
February 12, 1865
On this date, Preacher Henry Highland Garnet became the first African American to speak in the House Chamber when he addressed a crowd of worshippers ...
Posted Sunday, February 12th 2023 at 8:40AM
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Donald Trump’s outrageous comment on Rihanna riles fans
Story by Arthur Weinstein •
Millions of people around the world are looking forward to watching Rihanna perform during the Super Bowl LVII halftime show.
Donald Trump is not one of them. ...
Posted Sunday, February 12th 2023 at 8:26AM
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Pullman Porters
They were overworked, underpaid and demeaned, but generations of porters on the Pullman Palace Car Company helped promote the rights and futures of African Americans.
HISTORY.COM EDITORSUPDATED:OCT 8, 2021ORIGINAL:FEB 11, 2019
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Posted Saturday, February 11th 2023 at 12:26PM
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Clifford Alexander Jr.
Clifford Leopold Alexander Jr. (September 21, 1933 – July 3, 2022) was an American lawyer, businessman and public servant from New York City. He first served on the National Security Council during the Kennedy administration ...
Posted Saturday, February 11th 2023 at 11:36AM
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On This Day In History: Robert C. Weaver Becomes The First Black Person Appointed To A Presidential Cabinet
President Lyndon B. Johnson established HUD and appointed Black economist Robert Weaver to lead the agency paving the way for new leaders t ...
Posted Saturday, February 11th 2023 at 11:21AM
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