August Black History Calendar
- Aug 1, 1879
Mary Eliza Mahoney graduates from the New England Hospital for Women and Children, becomming the first black professional nurse in America
Search Library of Congress - Aug 2, 1924
James Baldwin , author of Go Tell It On The Mountain, The Fire Next Time, and Another Country, born
Search Library of Congress - Aug 3, 1800
Gabriel Prosser leads slave revolt in Richmond, Va,
Search Library of Congress - Aug 4, 1810
Abolitionist Robert Purvis born.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 5, 1962
Nelson Mandela , South African freedom fighter, imprisoned. He was not released until 1990.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 6, 1867
Actor Ira Aldridge dies and is buried in Lodz, Poland.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 7, 1894
Joseph Lee patents kneading machine.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 8, 1865
Polar explorer Matthew Henson born.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 9, 1936
Jesse Owens wins fourth gold medal at Summer Olympics in Berlin.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 10, 1989
General Colin Powell is nominated chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, the African American to hold the post.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 11, 1921
Alex Haley , author of Roots, born.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 12, 1977
Steven Biko , leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa, arrested.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 13, 1981
The Reagan Administration undertakes its review of 30 federal regulations, including rules of civil rights to prevent job discrimination.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 14, 1989
The North Carolina Black Repertory Company hosts the first National Black Theater Festival in Winston-Salem, NC.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 15, 1888
Granville T. Woods patents electromechanical brake.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 16, 1922
Author Louis E. Lomax born.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 17, 1849
Lawyer-activist Archibald Henry Grimké , who challenged the segregation policies of President Woodrow Wilson, born.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 18, 1859
Harriet Wilson’s Our Nig is first novel publsihed by a black writer.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 19, 1954
Dr. Ralph J. Bunche namedundersecretary of the United Nations.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 20, 1993
Dr. David Satcher named director of the Centers for Disease Control.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 21, 1831
Nat Turner leads slave revolt in Virginia.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 22, 1843
Henry Highland Garnett calls for a general strike by slaves.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 23, 1926
Carter Woodson , historian, author, inaugurated Negro History Week and later produced of the Negro History Bulletin.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 24, 1950
Judge Edith Sampson named first black delegate to the United Nations.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 25, 1908
National Association of Colored Nurses founded.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 26, 1920
19th Amendment to the Constitution ratified, giving women the right to vote.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 27, 1935
Mary McLeod Bethune founds the National Council of Negro Women.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 28, 1888
Granville T. Woods patents railway telegraphy.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 29, 1920
Saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker born.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 30, 1983
Lt. Col. Guion S. Bluford Jr. becomes the first African American astronaut in space.
Search Library of Congress - Aug 31, 1836
Henry Blair patents cotton planter.
Search Library of Congress