Untold Black History Facts - Encyclopedia of Facts (2024)

Black history is full of fascinating and little-known facts. Here are just a few of the untold stories of African-Americans who made a significant impact on history.

1. Crispus Attucks was the first casualty of the American Revolution.

Attucks was a former slave who became a sailor and participated in the Boston Tea Party. He was killed in the Boston Massacre of 1770, and is considered the first casualty of the Revolution.

2. Harriet Tubman was a spy for the Union army during the Civil War.

Tubman was a leading abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad. After the Civil War broke out, she became a spy for the Union army, smuggling information to and from Confederate soldiers.

3. The first successful powered flight was made by a black man.

In 1903, black inventor and pilot Orville Wright made the first successful powered flight. Wright and his brother Wilbur are generally credited with the invention of the airplane.

4. The first black person to earn a medical degree was a woman.

In 1847, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first black person to earn a medical degree. Blackwell was also the first woman to graduate from medical school in the United States.

5. The first black person to win a Nobel Prize was a woman.

In 1903, black American chemist Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first black person to win a Nobel Prize. Sirleaf is also the first female head of state in Africa.

6. The first black person to be appointed to the Supreme Court was a woman.

In 1967, black lawyer Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court, becoming the first black person to serve on the nation’s highest court.

7. The first black person to be elected president of the United States was a man.

In 2008, black American politician Barack Obama was elected president of the United States, becoming the first black person to hold the nation’s highest office.

Contents

  • 1 What are 5 Black history facts?
  • 2 What does 306 mean in Black history?
  • 3 Who was the first Black millionaire?
  • 4 What is the weirdest history fact?
  • 5 What happened in the world in 1619?
  • 6 What did Black people invent?
  • 7 What was the golden age of black business?

What are 5 Black history facts?

Black history is American history. It is the story of men and women of African descent who, through great courage and determination, have contributed to the development of the United States. The first Africans arrived in Virginia in 1619, two years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth.

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1. The first Africans in the United States were brought to Virginia in 1619.

2. The first black college in the United States was Cheyney University, which was founded in 1837.

3. The first black man to be elected to the United States Congress was Hiram Revels, who served from 1870 to 1871.

4. The first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress was Shirley Chisholm, who served from 1969 to 1983.

5. The first black person to be appointed as a United States federal judge was Thurgood Marshall, who was appointed by President John F. Kennedy in 1961.

What does 306 mean in Black history?

306 is a significant number in Black history. It was the year that slave revolts erupted in Virginia and South Carolina.

In Virginia, a group of slaves led by Nat Turner revolted. They killed at least 55 whites before they were eventually suppressed. The uprising led to increased restrictions on slavery, and it also increased fears among slaveowners of future revolts.

In South Carolina, a group of slaves led by Denmark Vesey planned to overthrow the white slaveowners. However, they were discovered and the plot was foiled. Many of the slaves involved were executed, and the rest were sold into slavery in the West Indies.

These revolts demonstrated the potential power of slaves and helped to galvanize the abolitionist movement.

Who was the first Black millionaire?

There have been many black millionaires throughout history, but who was the very first? This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on how you define “black millionaire.”

If you consider only people who made their fortunes in the United States, then the answer is probably Robert Reed Church, who became a millionaire in the late 1800s. However, if you include people of African descent who made their fortunes in other parts of the world, then the answer might be someone like Aliko Dangote, who is Africa’s richest man.

Robert Reed Church was born a slave in 1839, but he managed to achieve great success after emancipation. He became a successful businessman and landowner in Memphis, Tennessee, and he was reportedly worth more than $3 million by the time of his death in 1907.

Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian businessman who has made a fortune in the cement and commodities industries. He is currently worth an estimated $17.5 billion, making him Africa’s richest man.

What is the weirdest history fact?

There are many weird and strange facts in history that are hard to believe. Here are some of the strangest:

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1. In the 18th century, it was legal in Britain to kill a wife who was caught cheating.

2. In Ancient Rome, it was considered a crime to break a promise.

3. Until the late 19th century, it was legal in Britain to beat your wife with a stick as long as the stick was no wider than your thumb.

4. In Ancient Greece, it was legal for a man to have sex with a dead woman.

5. In the 16th century, Pope Julius III had a pet elephant that he would ride through the streets of Rome.

6. In the 18th century, the Russian czar Peter the Great had a standing army of dwarfs.

7. In the 16th century, the Pope kept a pet lion.

8. In the 18th century, the Russian czarina Elizabeth had a pet beaver that she would dress up in clothes and take for walks around the palace.

9. In the 18th century, the Russian czarina Catherine the Great had a pet deer that she would dress up in clothes and take for walks around the palace.

10. In the 16th century, the Pope kept a pet crocodile.

What happened in the world in 1619?

This year marks the 400th anniversary of some of the most important events in world history. 1619 was a year of momentous change, marked by a number of significant events that continue to shape the world we live in today.

In 1619, the first successful British colony in North America was established in Virginia. This new settlement would eventually become the United States of America.

1619 also saw the arrival of the first Africans to the British colonies in North America. These enslaved people would play a significant role in the development of the new nation.

In Europe, the Thirty Years War was raging. This conflict, which would last until 1648, would see the deaths of millions of people and would dramatically change the map of Europe.

Meanwhile, in Asia, the Ming Dynasty was coming to an end. The Manchu Dynasty would soon take over, ushering in a new era of Chinese history.

All these events would have a lasting impact on the world we live in today. The British colonies in North America would grow into a powerful nation, the effects of the Thirty Years War would be felt for centuries, and the rise of the Manchu Dynasty would change the course of Chinese history. So, what happened in the world in 1619? In short, a lot!

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What did Black people invent?

There are many inventions that have been created by black people over the years. While not all of them are household names, these inventions have made a significant impact on society.

One of the most famous black inventors is George Washington Carver. He is best known for his work with peanuts, but he also invented over 300 products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans. Some of his most famous inventions include peanut butter, adhesives, and dyes.

Other well-known black inventors include Lewis Howard Latimer, who invented the carbon filament light bulb, and Garrett Morgan, who invented the gas mask and the traffic signal.

There are many other black inventors whose inventions have made a significant impact on society, but are not as well-known. These inventors have developed everything from medical treatments to clothing styles.

So what do black people invent? Quite a lot, actually. And these inventions have made a significant impact on our society and our everyday lives.

What was the golden age of black business?

During the early 1900s, black-owned businesses were thriving and contributed significantly to the American economy. This period was known as the golden age of black business.

There were several factors that contributed to the success of black businesses during this time. One was the increase in demand for their products and services. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, America’s economy shifted from agricultural to industrial, and black businesses were well-equipped to take advantage of this change. They had been operating as self-employed entrepreneurs since slavery, so they were used to owning and running their own businesses.

Another factor that contributed to the success of black businesses was the rise of the black middle class. This new class of black Americans had more disposable income and were more likely to spend it on black-owned businesses.

The golden age of black business was also characterized by a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. Black businesses were always looking for new ways to increase their profits and serve their customers.

Despite the success of black businesses during this time, they eventually fell victim to Jim Crow laws and the racism of the era. In the mid-1900s, America’s economy shifted back to agricultural, and black businesses were unable to keep up. They were forced to close their doors, and the golden age of black business came to an end.

Untold Black History Facts - Encyclopedia of Facts (2024)

FAQs

What are some unknown black history facts? ›

Black History Month Trivia
  • William Tucker, son of indentured servants from Great Britain, was the first recorded African child to be born in the colonies in 1624.
  • Vermont was the first colony to ban slavery in 1777.
  • In the 1770s, a Quaker named Anthony Benezet created the first school for African American children.
Jan 11, 2022

What is the 13th black history? ›

The title refers to the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, adopted in 1865, which abolished slavery throughout the United States and ended involuntary servitude, except as punishment for convicted criminals.

What was black history first called? ›

Negro History Week (1926)

The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week".

What was the greatest moment in black history? ›

The March on Washington - Close to 500,000 gather at the Lincoln Memorial to witness Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his historic "I Have a Dream" speech on Aug. 28, 1963. Supporters were taking a stand for civil and voting rights for minorities.

What are 5 important Black history events? ›

African American HistoryEvents
  • The Charleston Cigar Factory Strike (1945-1946) ...
  • Nashville Operation Open City Movement (1961-1964) ...
  • UCLA Shootout between the Panthers and US (1969) ...
  • The Chicago Sit-In (1943) ...
  • Royal Ice Cream Sit-In (1957) ...
  • The First Black Power Conference (1967) ...
  • The Read Drug Store Sit-Ins (1955)

Who was the first black millionaire? ›

Madam C.J.

Walker (1867-1919), who started life as a Louisiana sharecropper born to formerly enslaved parents in 1867, is usually cited as the first Black millionaire.

What does 306 mean in black history? ›

What Does “306” Mean? Did you know that the number 306 has significance in Black history? When Dr. Martin Luther King stayed at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, the site of his assassination in 1968, he preferred to stay in room 306.

What happened on June 21 in black history? ›

On June 21, 1964, James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman were tortured and murdered by the KKK with help from the deputy sheriff near Philadelphia in Neshoba County, Mississippi.

What is June in black history? ›

On June 19, 1865, Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and announced the end of slavery, effectively emancipating the remaining enslaved individuals in Texas. This momentous event became known as Juneteenth, a combination of "June" and "nineteenth."

Who is the father of Black history? ›

GAZETTE: Carter G. Woodson is known as the father of Black history.

What president made Black History Month? ›

On February 10, 1976, President Gerald R. Ford issued a message recognizing Black History Month, becoming the first President to do so. The moment was decades in the making. In 1926 historian, author, and activist Dr.

What is the 2024 Black History Month theme? ›

The 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explores the creativity, resilience and innovation from a culture that has uplifted spirits and soothed souls in countless ways across centuries.

What are two things everyone should know about Black American history? ›

4 Key Black History Facts That Everyone Should Know
  • Black History Did Not Start With Slavery. ...
  • Changing Laws Did Not Magically Erase Discrimination. ...
  • Resistance and Protest Have Been Absolute Prerequisites For Racial Progress. ...
  • When Slavery Ended, Many Slave Owners Were Compensated.
Feb 27, 2023

Who was the first Black famous person? ›

Richard Potter, America's First Black Celebrity - Black Heritage Trail NH.

Who impacted black history the most? ›

Celebrating Some of the Most Influential African American Leaders
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. One of the most well-known civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr. ...
  • Rosa Parks. ...
  • Barack Obama. ...
  • Frederick Douglass. ...
  • oprah Winfrey. ...
  • Harriet Tubman. ...
  • Medgar Evers. ...
  • Jackie Robinson.
Mar 2, 2022

What are 2 interesting facts about Black History Month? ›

It was first celebrated during the second week of February in 1926 to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/editor Frederick Douglass (February 14). In 1976, as part of the nation's bicentennial, the week was expanded to a month.

What is 306 Black history? ›

What Does “306” Mean? Did you know that the number 306 has significance in Black history? When Dr. Martin Luther King stayed at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, the site of his assassination in 1968, he preferred to stay in room 306.

What are some great discoveries by Black people? ›

Black people also invented the clothes dryer, the automatic gear shift in vehicles, the modern toilet, lawn sprinkler, peanut butter and potato chips. But the innovation gap persists.

Who is the most famous Black in history? ›

Each year during Black History Month, the stories of figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks are often elevated—and with good reason. These figures made contributions to Black history and, by extension, American history, that cannot be overstated.

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