Black History Month

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Black History Month

February 2007

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EVENTS THAT CHANGED BLACK AMERICA

1. MARCH 7, 1942

First Black cadets graduate from flying school at Tuskegee, Alabama. In June 1943, the first squadron of Black aviators, the 99th Pursuit Squadron, flew its first combat mission.

2. NOVEMBER 3, 1942

William L. Dawson is elected to Congress from Chicago. On August 1, 1944, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., of Harlem became the first Black Congressman from the East.

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EVENTS THAT CHANGED

BLACK AMERICA

3. APRIL 3, 1944

The Supreme Court rules in Smith v. Allwright that “White primaries” could not exclude Black voters.

4. MAY 8, 1945

Germany surrenders on V-E Day, Japan surrendered on September 2, V-J Day, ending World War II. A total of 1,154,720 Blacks were inducted into the Armed Services. Many returned to America and attended college with GI Bill of Rights benefits.

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EVENTS THAT CHANGED

BLACK AMERICA

5. OCTOBER 23, 1945

Brooklyn Dodgers who moved to Los Angeles in 1958, sign Jackie Robinson {Died 10-24-72} and send him to their Montreal farm team. On April 15, 1947, Robinson made his debut at Ebbetts Field and became the first Black in the Major Leagues in modern times.

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EVENTS THAT CHANGED

BLACK AMERICA

6. MARCH 21, 1946

Kenny Washington signs with the Los Angeles Rams and becomes the first Black player in professional football in 13 years. Three other Blacks: Woody Strode of the Rams; Ben Willis and Marion Motley of the Cleveland Browns -- signed in the same year.

7. MAY 17, 1954

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court outlaws segregation in the public school system. Landmark Brown v. Board of Education Topeka decision sounded death knell for legal segregation in the United States.

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EVENTS THAT CHANGED

BLACK AMERICA

8. MAY 10, 1955

Chuck Berry records “Maybelline,” which played major role in development of rock ‘n’ roll. Berry and other Black stars, notably Muddy Waters and Little Richard, were the major musical influences on the Beatles and other White groups.

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EVENTS THAT CHANGED

BLACK AMERICA

9. DECEMBER 5, 1955

Historic bus boycott begins in Montgomery, Alabama. Rosa Parks {Died 10-25-05 at the age of 92} sparked the boycott when she refused to give her bus seat to a White man. The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was elected president of the boycott organization.