Black History Knowledge
Black History Knowledge — July 6
Jul
What happened on this day. These are the July 6 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on.
1853 — Clotel becomes a milestone in Black literature
On July 6, 1853, William Wells Brown published Clotel; or, The President’s Daughter, widely recognized as the first novel published by an African American. Brown used fiction to confront slavery, sexual exploitation, and the contradictions of American freedom.
1957 — Althea Gibson wins Wimbledon singles
On July 6, 1957, Althea Gibson won the women’s singles title at Wimbledon, becoming the first Black player to win a Wimbledon singles championship. Her victory broke a major barrier in international tennis.
1971 — Henry T. Sampson receives gamma-electric cell patent
On July 6, 1971, Henry T. Sampson and George H. Miley received a patent for the gamma-electric cell. This should be framed accurately: Sampson did not invent the cell phone, but his work remains an important example of Black innovation in engineering, nuclear science, and energy conversion.
