Today In Black History
Facts You Should Know!
Issue #426 Black History Thursday, November 30, 2023
Welcome to this Today in Black History post. Black History IS American History, no matter how hard some people try to erase our history and contributions.
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Today’s Black WOW!
Soon after the Civil War, white businessman George Porter started hiring former slaves to work on his uniquely customized and otherwise segregated railroad sleeper cars. The “porters” carried bags, maintained the sleeping berths, worked in the dining cars, shined shoes, and performed several other menial tasks. Until the 1960s, the “Pullman Porters” were exclusively Black with white supervisors, and were credited with contributing to the growing Black middle class. Racist passengers called every porter “George,” except the great Jackie Gleason, who was known for calling the porters by their correct names and also for tipping them with $100 bills.
In 1925, civil rights and labor activist Asa Phillip Randolph formed the first all-Black labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. In the 1940s, Randolph called for a March on Washington but canceled it a couple of days before it was to take place because President Franklin Roosevelt agreed to end discrimination in the defense industry. Randolph also convinced President Harry Truman to integrate the armed forces in 1948.
Mr. Randolph was the head organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Justice, assisted by Bayard Rustin.
Today's Black History:
- In 1875, Black inventor A.P. Ashbourne patented the biscuit cutter.
- In 1889, Black inventor S.R. Scratton patented the curtain rod.
- In 1965, ballet dancer Judith Jamison made her debut with Alvin Ailey’s American Dance Theatre.
- In 1966, Dr. Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seal created the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.
- In 1948, the Negro National Baseball League disbanded.
- In 1975, the African nation of Dahomey was renamed the Republic of Benin.
- In 2021, the Caribbean country of Barbados became a Republic, removing Britain’s Queen Elizabeth as head of state.
- In 2022, U.S House Democrats elected Hakeem Jeffries of New York as the first Black House Minority Leader, replacing Nancy Pelosi of California, who stepped down from her leadership position.
Let’s discuss these facts in our community on Substack Notes.
Thank you!