Tidye Pickett (November 3, 1914 – November 17, 1986) was an American track and field athlete. She represented the United States in the 80-meter hurdles at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, becoming the first African-American woman to compete in the Olympic Games. … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: More African-American Firsts
More African-American Firsts
Wednesday Open Thread: More African-American Firsts
Absalom Boston (1785–1855) was a United States mariner who was the first African-American captain to sail a whaleship, with an all-black crew, in 1822. … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: More African-American Firsts
Tuesday Open Thread: More African-American Firsts
Jupiter Hammon (October 17, 1711 – before 1806) was a black poet who in 1761 became the first African-American writer to be published in the present-day United States. Additional poems and sermons were also published. Born into slavery, Hammon was never emancipated. He was living in 1790 at the age of 79, and died by 1806. A devout Christian, he is considered one of the … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: More African-American Firsts
Monday Open Thread: More African-American Firsts
Prince Hall (c. 1735–1738—1807) was an African American noted as an abolitionist for his leadership in the free black community in Boston and as the founder of Prince Hall Freemasonry. He lobbied for education rights for black children and was active in the back-to-Africa movement. … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: More African-American Firsts
Saturday Open Thread: More African-American Firsts
This week's open threads focused on the accomplishments of several African-Americans. Blanche Kelso Bruce (March 1, 1841 – March 17, 1898) was a U.S. politician who represented Mississippi as a Republican in the U.S. Senate from 1875 to 1881 and was the first elected non-white senator to serve a full term. Hiram R. Revels, also of Mississippi, was the first to ever … [Read more...] about Saturday Open Thread: More African-American Firsts