Throughout the month of February, Smooth Jazz WJZA will be honoring a different figure or event that shaped black history. These 28 people and events were picked because of their courageous actions, innovative ideas and empowering principles. Check back everyday for more information about Black History Month.
Friday, February 5th
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education, was a landmark supreme court case that overturned the 1896 case Plessy v. Ferguson. The case was passed unanimously on May 17, 1954.
The case began in 1951 when a class action suit was filed against the Board of Education for the City of Topeka, Kansas. Thirteen parents were filing on behalf of twenty different children. The parent’s claim called for the school district to reverse the segregation of two local elementary schools.
The decision stated that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”
The landmark ruling led to widespread enrollment of black students throughout the southern United States. On of the most well known groups of enrolled Students was the Little Rock 9.
These students were met by segregationist at the doors of a Little Rock, Arkansas High School in 1957. The white segregationists attempted to block the black students’ entry into the school. Soon the U.S. Army and President Dwight D. Eisenhower were called in for the protection of the students.
Eventually, although through much bravery and strife, the students were able to enter the school and attend classes. However, the school closed for a few years to avoid further integration.
Thursday, February 4th
Carter G. Woodson
Carter Woodson, a solider in the forefront of promoting black education, is widely know for the establishment of Negro History Week in 1926. This cultural celebration occurred during the second week of February to commemorate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
Woodson, also know as the “Father of Black History” was the second African America (the first being W.E.B DuBois) to earn a Harvard doctorate. He also founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.
In the 1960s, Negro History Week became evolved into Black History Month.
To honor all that Woodson has done for African-Americans, an ornament is displayed on the White House Christmas tree every year.
Tuesday, February 3rd
The 15th Amendment
On this date in 1870, the 15th amendment to the United States Constitution was passed.
The amendment defined that “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
This amendment marked the first time that black male citizens could vote.
The first African-American to vote after the passage of the amendment was Thomas Mundy Peterson, who voted on a March 31st New Jersey School Board issue.
More blacks were elected to political office per capita during the period from 1865 to 1880 than at any other time in American history.
Tuesday, February 2nd
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay, is probably one of the most recognizable boxers in history.
Throughout Ali’s career he won the 1960 Olympic gold medal and was the only man to ever win the world heavyweight championship three times. When he retired his record was 56-5.
Some of Ali’s most notable matches were against Sonny Liston, George Forman and Joe Fraizer. In the fictional world, Ali was even able to defeat Superman in a boxing match.
Out of the ring, Ali was famous for his strong stance on social issues, refusing induction to the armed forces during the Vietnam War, and his association with the Nation of Islam. In 1984, Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Monday, February 1st
Greensboro, North Carolina Sit-In
On this date in 1960, four black students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College started a sit-in at a Woolworth’s lunch counter. The simple, yet brave, protest sparked a civil rights milestone.
The students, Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Joseph McNeil and Franklin McCain, entered the Woolworth’s store in Greensboro, North Carolina and sat down at the counter. At the time, only whites were allowed to sit-down in the restaurant. Blacks were required to stand.
The students were denied lunch but allowed to stay at the counter. Reports say that the following day 300 activists returned to the store and eventually over 1,000 peaceful protestors joined in on the sit-in.
This single event triggered many other types of non-violent protests across the United States.
Six months later the four students were served lunch at the same counter. Although nationally legal change did not come until the Civil Rights Act of 1964, local laws changed to reflect the heroic acts of these four students.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
