Black - African American History Facts

Isaac Scott Hathaway, renowned sculptor whose famous portraits include Frederick Douglass, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Booker T. Washington, was born on this date in 1872.

Booker T. Washington, educator, was born in Hale's Ford, VA, on this date in 1856. Though born a slave, Washington founded Tuskegee Institute at age 25.

Booker T. Washington, educator and founder of Tuskegee Institute, was commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp on this date in 1956. Washington became the first black person to be honored twice on a postage stamp.

Booker T. Washington, educator and founder of Tuskegee Institute, was commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp on this date in 1940.

Booker T. Washington, educator and founder of Tuskegee Institute, received an honorary degree from Harvard University on this date in 1896.

Tuskegee Institute opened with a student body of 30 on this date in 1881. Booker T. Washington was the school's only teacher.

The National Negro Business League was founded on this date in 1900. Booker T. Washington was elected as the group's first president as he and 400 delegates from 34 states met in Boston, MA.

Booker T. Washington delivered his controversial "Atlanta Compromise" address at the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta, GA, on this date in 1895. Washington told blacks to accept racism but spend their time working hard and improving themselves.

Hugh Mulzac, the first black captain of a U.S. merchant ship, launched with the Booker T. Washington out of Wilmington, DE, on this date in 1942.

Booker T. Washington, educator and founder of Tuskegee Institute, died in Tuskegee, AL, on this date in 1915.