Today In Black History: Dr. Harvey Washington Banks
The first African American to earn a PhD in Astronomy
Issue #788 Today In Black History, Wednesday, January 15, 2025
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Dr. Harvey Washington Banks was born on February 7, 1923, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. His family later moved to Washington, D.C., where he attended Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.). Banks earned his bachelor's degree in physics in 1946 and a master's in physics in 1948 from Howard University. Dr. Banks later attended Georgetown University, completing his Ph.D. in Astronomy in 1961, becoming the first African American to do so.
Dr. Banks began his career in education, a field where he believed he could make the most impact. As an educator, he was committed to teaching the standard curriculum and instilling a sense of pride and identity in his Black students. He sought to inspire students to aspire to greatness irrespective of the societal constraints they faced.
His research contributed to advances in astronomical spectroscopy, using light to study the properties of stars, planets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies.
Banks also specialized in geodesy, the science of accurately measuring and understanding the Earth’s geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravity field. His work in geodesy is based on many aspects of today’s Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
Beyond his role in education, Dr. Banks actively participated in the Civil Rights Movement. He collaborated with other prominent leaders to fight against racial injustice and worked to dismantle segregation in schools. His efforts were instrumental in the push for desegregation, contributing to the landmark progress achieved during the 1960s and beyond.
Dr. Banks also focused on economic empowerment, recognizing that true equality required legal and educational reforms and financial independence. He supported initiatives encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation within the Black community, believing economic strength was a cornerstone of a free and equitable society.
Dr. Harvey Washington Banks died in 1979.
Today In Black History
In 1865, a Black division of the Union army, under the command of Major General Charles Paine, participated in the Fort Fischer Expedition that closed the Confederate’s last major port.
In 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Black Greek Letter Organization (BGLO) sorority, was founded at HBCU Howard University.
In 1929, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 1950, 4,000 participants attended the National Emergency Civil Rights Conference in Washington, D.C.
In 1970, the Nigerian Civil War ended after 2 1/2 years when the Republic of Biafra disbanded and joined Nigeria.
In 1975, Portugal signed the accord for Angola’s independence.
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