Buffalo Soldiers - #BlackHistoryFact

"Buffalo Soldier" is the collective nickname given to the first African-American members of the United States Armed Forces.  There are many theories as to its origin, but the nickname probably started on the Western Frontier with the Cheyenne, who thought the hair of the Black soldiers resembled the fur of the buffalo. Buffalo were revered by tribal leaders so any comparison between men and buffalo was considered high praise.  Some sources assert that the nickname was given out of respect for the fierce fighting ability of the 10th Cavalry.  Third, it may have been because they wore thick coats made from buffalo hide during winter.  Whatever the reason, the term was used respectfully and with honor.
 
The soldiers seldom used the name amongst themselves, but they did accept the name as complimentary. The symbol of the buffalo was eventually incorporated into the crest of the 10th Cavalry Regiment.
  

Bessie Coleman - #BlackHistoryFact

Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman (January 26, 1892 - April 30, 1926) was the first person of African American descent to become a licensed airplane pilot.  She was also the first American of any race or gender to hold an international pilot license.  Popularly known as "Brave Bessie" or "Queen Bess", her pioneering achievements served as an inspiration for a generation of African American men and women.

Coleman died at the young age of 34 while riding in a plane with her mechanic and publicity agent. Coleman's mechanic, William Wills, was flying the plane while she was in the other seat.  She was not wearing her seatbelt as she was planning a parachute jump the next day and wanted to look over the cockpit to examine the terrain. Ten minutes into the flight, the plain did not pull out of a planned nosedive.  The plane accelerated into a tailspin and Coleman was thrown 500 feet from the plane and died instantly when she hit the ground.  Wills was unable to regain control and also died upon impact as the plane burst into flames.

Numerous books have been written about Coleman, including books which encourage children to believe in themselves and their dreams.

Black Wall Street - #BlackHistoryFact

During the early 20th Century, there was a community in Tulsa, Oklahoma known as Greenwood.  Greenwood became affectionately known as "the Negro Wall Street", now more commonly referred to as "the Black Wall Street", due to number of successful businesses in this predominately black populated community.  This community held 600 businesses, 21 churches, 21 restaurants, 30 grocery stores, 2 movie theatres, 6 private airplanes plus a hospital, bank, post office, schools, libraries, law offices and even a bus system.  The dollar would circulate more than 36 times, sometimes taking more than a year before leaving the community.  This community flourished until the 1921 attack on the community that became known as the "Tulsa Race Riots".  Numerous witness accounts described airplanes carrying white assailants, who fired rifles and dropped firebombs on buildings, homes, and fleeing families.

The below photograph is of a few of the proud businessmen of "Black Wall Street". 

Knowledge is power!



U.S. Civil War Colored Troops Medal - #BlackHistoryFact

The image posted here is that of one of the medals that were awarded to African American soldiers that fought in the Civil War.  The medals were awarded by Gen. Benjamin F. Butler to African American soldiers under his command during the 1864 battles at Fort Harrison and Fort Gilmer to show appreciation for their heroics.  The medals held no official status and, after the General was relieved of his duties the following year, the soldiers were not permitted to wear the medals on their uniforms.  

 

Receiving any type of medal for your service in the military is a great honor and to be a soldier of African American heritage fighting for your freedom, the medals probably held more meaning to those soldiers and their families than anyone could imagine.  Being of African American descent and knowing the significance that war held for this country, it's nice to know that a few African American soldiers were acknowledge for their bravery even if there were not allowed to display the medals on their uniforms.

 

Somewhere around 300 African American soldiers received these medals.    

The Harlem Hellfighters - Black History

What group of WWI infantry unit spent more time in combat than any other American unit? What group of soldiers helped pave the way for future African-American soldiers? What group fought with bravery and honor for their country, although they were not respected by their country? The Harlem Hellfighters! Also nicked named the Black Rattlers and Men of Bronze (named given to them by the French). The nickname “Hell Fighters” was given to them by the Germans due to their toughness and that they never lost a man through capture, lost a trench or a foot of ground to the enemy.



Pvt. Henry Lincoln Johnson earned the nickname "Black Death" for his actions in combat in France.

Did You Know? #BlackHistoryFact Dr. King and Condolezza Rice

What does Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Condoleezza Rice have in common? 

They completed high school and started college at the age of 15!

 Dr. Martin Luther King was so smart! He actually skipped his first and last year at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta. That’s right Martin Luther King entered Morehouse College in Atlanta at the tender age of 15!

That’s right! Condoleezza completed her required course for high-school early! She was able to juggle a full schedule at any early age. High school in the morning, and attend the University of Denver in the afternoon.

These two individuals were destined for greatness! Education is the key. 

The Father of Black History - #BlackHistoryFact

Have you ever wondered where the idea of Black History Month came from? Black History Month was the idea of Dr. Carter G. Woodson (December 19, 1875 - April 3, 1950).  In 1926, Dr. Woodson created the celebration of "Negro History Week", for the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas.  This week of celebration for black history was later extended to the full month of February and renamed Black History Month.  Dr. Woodson noted that African American contributions "were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them." 

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, along with William Hartgrove, Cleveland Hall, Alexander L. Jackson and James E. Stamp, founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Because of his devotion to the history of black people, Dr. Woodson is also known as the Father of Black History.