Black - African American History Facts

John Brown, a white abolitionist and martyr of the Harper's Ferry Insurrection, was hanged at Charlestown, VA, on this date in 1859.

Granville T. Woods, inventor, patented the Telephone Transmitter, his second invention, on this date in 1884.

Charles Harris Wesley, minister, and the first President of Central State University, was born on this date in 1891. This prominent historian succeeded Carter G. Woodson as head of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.

Charles C. Diggs, Jr., Michigan's first black Congressman, was born on this date in 1922. Diggs, a UN delegate during the Nixon administration, helped organize the National Black Political Convention and the Congressional Black Caucus.

Atlanta University President, Dr. Rufus Clement, was elected to the Atlanta Board of Education on this date in 1953.