Black - African American History Facts

Crispus Attucks was the first person killed in the Boston Massacre on this date in 1770. Attucks and over 5,000 other blacks fought in the American Revolution.

Blanche Kelso Bruce (Mississippi) was sworn into the U.S. Senate on this date in 1875. Bruce was the first black person to serve a full six-year Senate term.

The American Negro Academy was founded on this date in 1897. Founded by Alexander Crummel, the organization's purpose was to promote higher education through literature, science, and the arts.

Leontine Turpeau Kelly, the first black female Bishop in the United Methodist Church, was born in Washington, DC, on this date in 1920.

Mary McLeod Bethune, educator, civil rights leader, and founder of both Bethune-Cookman College and the National Council of Negro Women, was commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp on this date in 1985.