Okay, it’s actually 10:43 but there’s no song for that sooooo…
Black History Month ends tomorrow, but I plan to continue to learn by reading books and articles, listening to others, and more. What about you? Have you learned something this month? Do you plan to continue to learn? Tomorrow I’ll give you a list of a bunch of things to research, if you’re so inclined. I’ve been learning a lot.
So let’s get to today’s history, shall we?
On this day in…
1833, Maria W. Stewart delivered one of the four speeches which confirmed her place in history as the first American-born woman to give public lectures. Stewards lectures focused on encouraging African-Americans to attain education, political rights, and public recognition for their achievements.
1860, Abraham Lincoln, a presidential candidate who had yet to win the Republican nomination, accepted an invitation to speak to the Young Mens Republican Union at Cooper Union Hall before a capacity crowd of 1,500. Lincoln used the occasion to outline his views on slavery in the territories, noting that his research had shown that 21 of the 39 signers of the Constitution believed slavery should not be allowed in the territories, attempting to undercut the opposition charge that the Republican position on that question was out of the political mainstream.
1869, John W. Menard spoke in Congress in defense of his claim to a contested seat in Louisiana's Second Congressional District. Congress decided against both claimants. Congressman James A. Garfield of the examining committee said "it was too early to admit a Negro to the U.S. Congress." Menard was the first Black to make a speech in Congress.
1869, Congress adopted the 15th constitutional amendment, making it illegal for the US or any single government to deny or abridge the right to vote "on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude."
1872, Charlotte Ray graduates from Howard Law School. She is the first African American lawyer in the U.S.
1897, Black inventor William B. Purvis obtained his patent for the railway switch. The railway switch is one of many patents that Purvis obtained for his inventions.
1988, Figure skater Debi Thomas becomes the first African American to win a medal (bronze) at the winter Olympic Games.