What happened on this day. These are the August 20 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1964 — Economic Opportunity Act launches major War on Poverty programs On Aug 20, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act. The law created programs including Job Corps, VISTA, and community action […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 20 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Don King Born August 20, 1931 Boxing promoter and one of the most powerful and controversial figures in modern sports. King promoted many of boxing’s largest events and worked with […]
Booker T. Washington “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” — Booker T. Washington Washington saw service as the path to progress. His message endures — helping others is how we truly rise. Wear the history: Booker T. Washington Coin — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.
Honoring those we lost on August 19 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Dick Gregory Birth name: Richard Claxton Gregory Born Oct 12, 1932 — died Aug 19, 2017 Comedian, writer, civil rights activist, social critic, and health advocate. Gregory broke racial barriers in mainstream comedy by turning segregation, […]
What happened on this day. These are the August 19 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1791 — Benjamin Banneker challenges Thomas Jefferson on slavery On Aug 19, 1791, Black mathematician and astronomer Benjamin Banneker sent Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson a forceful letter condemning slavery. By confronting the contradiction between […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 19 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Johnny Nash Full name: John Lester Nash Jr. Born August 19, 1940 — died October 6, 2020 Singer, songwriter, actor, and early American popularizer of reggae. Nash became one of […]
W.E.B. Du Bois “Children learn more from what you are than what you teach.” — W.E.B. Du Bois Du Bois understood that example shapes generations. His wisdom reminds us that actions speak louder than lessons. Wear the history: W.E.B. Du Bois — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.
Honoring those we lost on August 18 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind. Albert Murray Full name: Albert Lee Murray Born May 12, 1916 — died Aug 18, 2013 Essayist, novelist, critic, biographer, educator, and interpreter of Black American culture. Murray argued that Black culture—especially blues and jazz—was central […]
What happened on this day. These are the August 18 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on. 1920 — Nineteenth Amendment is ratified On Aug 18, 1920, Tennessee became the decisive thirty-sixth state to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment, constitutionally barring denial of the vote on the basis of sex. Black women helped […]
Born on this day. These are the birthdays we celebrate on August 18 — the people whose lives added to the story of Black history. Roberto Clemente Full name: Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker Born August 18, 1934 — died December 31, 1972 Baseball Hall of Famer, Pittsburgh Pirates legend, humanitarian, and Puerto Rican icon. Clemente […]