What happened on this day. These are the July 20 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1909 — Richard B. Spikes receives beer tapper patent On July 20, 1909, Black inventor Richard B. Spikes received a patent for a beer tapper. Spikes held multiple patents across his career, and this invention […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 20 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Freeman Bosley Jr. Full name: Freeman Robertson Bosley Jr. Born July 20, 1954 Lawyer, politician, civic leader, and first African American mayor of St. Louis, Missouri. Bosley made history in […]
James Weldon Johnson “Young man, young woman, rise. You are heir to a glorious heritage.” Author of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” civil rights leader, and poet. Johnson calls young Black people to recognize themselves as heirs to a powerful cultural and historical legacy.
Honoring those we lost on July 19 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Sheila Jackson Lee Birth name: Sheila Jackson Born January 12, 1950 — died July 19, 2024 Lawyer, U.S. congresswoman, civil rights advocate, and longtime Houston political leader. Jackson Lee represented Texas’s 18th Congressional District for nearly […]
What happened on this day. These are the July 19 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1919 — Washington, D.C. Red Summer violence begins On July 19, 1919, white mobs, including servicemen and veterans, began attacking Black residents and Black neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. during the Red Summer. Black residents organized […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 19 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Teresa Edwards Born July 19, 1964 Basketball Hall of Famer, Olympic gold medalist, guard, coach, and women’s basketball legend. Edwards became one of the most decorated team-sport athletes in Olympic […]
Charlotte Hawkins Brown “Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.” Educator and founder of Palmer Memorial Institute. Brown teaches that character is developed through ordinary decisions long before it is revealed during a major test.
Honoring those we lost on July 18 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Willa Brown Chappell Birth name: Willa Beatrice Brown Born January 22, 1906 — died July 18, 1992 Aviator, educator, civil rights advocate, Civil Air Patrol officer, and Black aviation pioneer. Brown became the first African American […]
What happened on this day. These are the July 18 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1863 — 54th Massachusetts leads assault on Fort Wagner On July 18, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, one of the most famous Black regiments of the Civil War, led a dangerous assault on Fort Wagner […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on July 18 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Birth name: Jalacy J. Hawkins Born July 18, 1929 — died February 12, 2000 R&B singer, songwriter, musician, actor, boxer, and theatrical rock-and-roll pioneer. Hawkins turned blues […]