Courier Newsroom October 27, 2022 October 26 1749—The British parliament legalizes slavery in the American colony, which would become known as Georgia. 1806—Benjamin Banneker dies at 74. He had become a recognized…
Category: Historical Figures
The stolen cells of Henrietta Lacks and their ongoing contribution to science
In the past century, Henrietta Lacks has, arguably, done more to advance medicine than any other person. She played a material role in the development of polio vaccines, cancer treatments,…
How Pittsburgh’s Freedom House Pioneered Paramedic Treatment
March 1, 20155:19 PM ET Heard on All Things Considered ERIKA BERAS Twitter In the 1960s, Pittsburgh, like most cities, was segregated by race. But people of all colors suffered from…
SERGEANT WILLIAM HARVEY CARNEY: FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN AWARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
POSTED BY JAE JONES – SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 Sergeant William Harvey Carney was the first African American to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was born a slave in Norfolk,…
How a High School Teacher Changed Early 20th-Century Insect Science
Systemic racism kept him from a position in higher education—but it didn’t stop Charles Henry Turner from rewriting our understanding of bees, ants, and cockroaches. BY EDWARD D. MELILLO AUGUST 15,…
The Proud Legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers
In 1866, an Act of Congress created six all-black peacetime regiments, later consolidated into four –– the 9th and 10th Cavalry, and the 24th and 25th Infantry –– who became…
For Pilot Bessie Coleman, Every ‘No’ Got Her Closer to ‘Yes’
Despite fierce obstacles in her path, the Black female aviator became a hero that would pave the way for generations to come by David Kindy Correspondent Once again, Bessie Coleman—the first…
How Edmonia Lewis Changed The Art World Forever
By Sarah January/June 11, 2022 Over the centuries the art world has seen many iconic sculptors. From Michelangelo to Picasso, Donatello to Rodin, these artists created some of the incredible…
How Emmett Till’s murder inspired Rod Serling to create the original ‘Twilight Zone’ series
Frustrated by censors, Serling went a different route, with great success. Annie Reneau The original “Twilight Zone” series was unlike anything anyone had ever seen on television. Airing from 1959…
Joseph H. Rainey 1832–1887
Joseph Rainey was sworn in on December 12, 1870—first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Born enslaved, Joseph Rainey was the first African American to serve…