Honoring those we lost on October 31 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Riley L. Pitts Born October 15, 1937 — died October 31, 1967 U.S. Army captain and Medal of Honor recipient A native of Fallis, Oklahoma, Pitts commanded Company C, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, […]
What happened on this day. These are the October 31 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1901 — A white mob lynched Silas Esters in Hodgenville, Kentucky In the early morning of October 31, 1901, a white mob of more than 50 men took 18-year-old Silas Esters from the LaRue County […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on October 31 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Ethel Waters Born October 31, 1896 — died September 1, 1977 Singer and actress. Waters moved from blues and popular-song performance into major stage and screen roles, including Cabin in […]
Harriet Tubman “Slavery is the next thing to hell.” — Harriet Tubman Tubman spoke from the depths of lived horror. Her truth endures as a reminder of pain transformed into purpose. Wear the history: Harriet Tubman — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.
Honoring those we lost on October 30 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. William J. Simmons Born June 29, 1849 — died October 30, 1890 Baptist minister, educator, journalist, author, and college president Born enslaved, Simmons became president of Kentucky Normal and Theological Institute, expanded the school that later […]
What happened on this day. These are the October 30 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1831 — Nat Turner was captured After evading capture for more than two months following the Southampton rebellion, Nat Turner was found hiding near the residence of his late owner and captured by Benjamin Phipps […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on October 30 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Leon Day Born October 30, 1916 — died March 13, 1995 Negro leagues baseball pitcher. Day was an outstanding pitcher whose Negro leagues career included the Newark Eagles and whose […]
Alice Walker “The most important question in the world is, ‘Why is the child crying?’” — Alice Walker Walker connects empathy to humanity. Her message is a plea for compassion in how we care for one another.
Honoring those we lost on October 29 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Eva Beatrice Dykes Born August 13, 1893 — died October 29, 1986 Scholar of English literature, educator, and choir director A Washington, D.C., native and summa cum laude Howard graduate, Dykes completed the requirements for a […]
What happened on this day. These are the October 29 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1862 — Black Union soldiers fought at the Battle of Island Mound On October 29, 1862, detachments of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry fought pro-Confederate guerrillas at Island Mound. The engagement is widely recognized […]