Author Archives: The Black Blog

Nat Turner led one of the biggest slave revolts in U.S. history in 1831. The revolt lasted until August 23,1831. After the revolt ended, Nat Turner escaped but was later captured and executed.

Influential politician William Herbert Gray III was born in 1941. William Herbert Gray III was a prominent politician whose policies and initiatives sought to empower Black people across the world. He openly spoke out against apartheid in South Africa and served as a special advisor to Haiti during the Clinton administration. Towards the end of his life, Gray led the United Negro College Fund.

Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to then Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, regarding his slavery stance in 1791. Banneker quoted the Declaration of Independence to make his argument against slavery.

Architect and educator Leon Bridges was born in 1932. Leon Bridges was the first registered African American architect in Maryland.

Marcus Garvey was born in 1887. Marcus Garvey was a prominent activist, journalist and author. In addition to his activism, Garvey spearheaded movements and founded organizations that sought to empower Black people. He founded the Negro World newspaper and the Universal Negro Improvement Association.

Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76 in 2018. Today, Aretha Franklin is remembered as the Queen of Soul.

Henry Highland Garnet delivers a speech at the National Negro Convention of 1843. The convention was held in Buffalo, New York to discuss the abolitionist movement.

Olympian sprinter Usain Bolt won his third straight 100m at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Rio de Janeiro Olympics Games in 2016. He made history as the first person to win the event in three consecutive Olympic games.

The ‘Afro-American Newspaper’ was founded by John H. Murphy Sr. in 1892. The Afro-American Newspaper served as a voice for black people in Baltimore during the early 1900s.

Mississippi civil rights activist Victoria Gray Adams died in 2006. Victoria Gray Adams was a prominent politician and civil rights activist in Mississippi. She played a key role in founding key organizations and groups that sought to educate and empower black Mississippians. Among her accomplishments was becoming the first woman from Mississippi to run for Senate. Gray Adams died in 2006 at the age of 79.