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1. Celebrating Black History Month
Jesse the son of a sharecropper and grandson of
Jesse Owens,Owens, the son of a sharecropper and grandson of a slave, was
a slave, wasas James Cleveland Owens in Alabama in 1913. Jesse, a legendary
born born as James Cleveland Owens in
Alabama in 1913. Jesse, a legendary American track-
American track-and-field athlete, set three world records and tied a fourth,
and-field athlete, set three worldminutes on May 25, 1935. In 1936; he became an
all in a span of about 45 records and tied a
fourth,international of about 45 minutes on May 25,
all in a span hero during the 11th Olympic Games in Berlin during Hitler’s
1935. In 1936; he became was just 22 at the time. His four Olympic victories were
chancellorship. He an international hero during
the 11th Olympic Games in Berlin during Hitler's
a blow to Adolf Hitler’s intention to use the Games to demonstrate Aryan su-
chancellorship, he was just 22 at the time. His four
periority. One popular tale that arose from Owens’s victories was that of the
Olympic victories were a blow to Adolf Hitler's
“snub,” the notion that Hitler refused to shake hands with Owens because
intention to use the Games to demonstrate Aryan
he was an African American. He retained his 100M world record for 20
superiority. One popular tale that arose from Owens's
years and his long jump world record for 25 years. In 1976, Owens received
victories was that of the “snub,” the notion that Hitler
the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 1990 he was posthumously
refused to shake hands with Owens because he was an
awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
African American. He retained his 100-m world record
for 20 years and his long jump world record for 25
years. In 1976, Owens received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 1990 he was
posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Henry Armstrong was born Henry Melody
Jackson on December 12, 1912 in Columbus,
Henry Armstrong,was born was Homicide
Mississippi. Henry’s nickname Henry Melody Jackson on December 12,
Hank. He Columbus, Mississippi.boxing career in
1912 in began his professional Henry’s nickname was Homicide Hank. He
1931, and soon became known as a strong 1931, and soon became known as
began his professional boxing career in and
tireless puncher. Armstrong won three world titles:
the strong and tirelesswelterweight and the won three world titles: the feath-
a featherweight, the puncher. Armstrong
lightweight the welterweight andthreelightweight crown. Thus he held three
erweight, crown. Thus he held the titles
simultaneously; which prompted the NationalNational Boxing Association to
titles simultaneously; which prompted the
Boxing Association to rule that a championifmust
rule that a champion must vacate a title he wins another. In his career,
vacate a title won 144 matches, In his career,
Armstrong if he wins another. scored 97 knockouts, and lost 19 fights. After
Armstrong won 144 matches, scored 97 knockouts,
retiring from boxing, Armstrong became an ordained Baptist minister, work-
and lost 19 fights. After retiring from boxing,
ing with disadvantaged youth. He was inducted into the Ring Boxing Hall of
Armstrong became an ordained Baptist minister,
workingin 1954 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
Fame with disadvantaged youth. He was
inducted into the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in
1954 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in
1990.
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2. Celebrating Black History Month
Jackie Robinson was born Jack Roosevelt Robinson on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. Break-
Jackie Robinson was born Jack Roosevelt Robinson on
January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. Breaking the color
ing the color barrier, Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play in baseball’s Major
barrier, Jackie Robinson became the first African-
Leagues in the 20th century. He endured mistreatment from fellow ball players, and baseball fans with
American to play in baseball's Major Leagues in the
20th century. He endured mistreatment from fellow ball
quiet dignity and paved the way for the integration of America’s favorite past time. He played with the
players, and baseball fans with quiet dignity and paved
Brooklyn Dodgers, earning the honor of Rookie of the Year in 1947, most Valuable Player in 1949 and
the way for the integration of America's favorite past
time. He played with the Brooklyn Dodgers earning the
winning the World Series Championship with the Dodgers in 1955. Jackie was the first African-Ameri-
honor of Rookie of the Year in 1947; most Valuable
can to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame; the first Major League baseball player to be honored
Player in 1949 and winning the World Series
Championship with the Dodgers in 1955. Jackie was the
on a U.S. postage stamp; the first baseball player to have his uniform number (42) across all teams by
first African-American to be inducted into the Baseball
the Major League; the first UCLA student to earn a varsity letter in all four sports: baseball, basketball,
Hall of Fame; was the first Major League baseball
player to be honored on a U.S. postage stamp; the first
football and track; the first African-American baseball player to receive the Congressional Gold Medal;
baseball player to have his uniform number (42) across
all teams by the Major League; the first UCLA student
and the first African-American to serve as Vice President of a major American corporation, Chock Full
to earn a varsity letter in all four sports: baseball, basketball, football and track; the first African-
O’ Nuts.
American baseball player to receive the Congressional Gold Medal; and the first African-
American to serve as Vice President of a major American corporation, Chock Full O' Nuts.
Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige was born July 7, 1906 in Mobile, Alabama. He was an American
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was born July 7, 1906
in Mobile, Alabama. He was an American baseball
baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend
player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in
Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own
in his own lifetime. The nickname Satchel originated from childhood work toting bags at the train
lifetime. The nickname Satchel originated from
childhood work toting bags at the train station. His
station. His career highlights span five decades. Pronounced the greatest pitcher in the history of the
career highlights span five decades. Pronounced the
Negro Leagues, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, the first player to be inducted
greatest pitcher in the history of the Negro Leagues, he
was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, the
from the Negro leagues. Joe DiMaggio called Satchel Paige “the best and fastest pitcher I’ve ever
first player to be inducted from the Negro leagues. Joe
DiMaggio called Satchel Paige "the best and fastest
faced.” His pitching was amazing and his showboating was legendary. Paige mauled the competition in
pitcher I've ever faced.” His pitching was amazing and
front of sellout crowds. Sure, he liked the attention, but to him, there was only one goal-- to pitch in the
his showboating was legendary. Paige mauled the
competition in front of sellout crowds. Sure, he liked
Major Leagues.
the attention, but to him, there was only one goal-- to
pitch in the Major Leagues.
Kirby Puckett was born on March 14, 1960 in Chicago’s South Side. He made his Major
Kirby Puckett was born on March 14, 1960 in Chicago's South
League debut on May 8, 1984. Kirby led the Minnesota Twins to two World Series in 1987 and
Side. He made his Major League debut on May 8, 1984. Kirby
led the Minnesota Twins to two World Series in 1987 and 1991,
1991, won six Gold Gloves, was selected as an All-Star ten times, and was inducted into the
won six Gold Gloves, selected as an All-Star ten times, and was
inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. He earned a
Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. He earned a reputation whose charitable endeavors, particular-
reputation whose charitable endeavors, particularly in helping
ly in helping children, earned him many national honors including baseball’s Roberto Clemente
children, earned him many national honors including baseball's
Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award in 1996. Kirby was
Man of the Year Award in 1996. Kirby was forced to retire at age 35 after being diagnosed with
forced to retire at age 35 after being diagnosed with Glaucoma.
The street in front of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome is
Glaucoma. The street in front of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome is named after him.
named after him.
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3. Celebrating Black History Month
Vernon Baker, a military hero, was awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on
April 5-6, 1945, when he and his platoon killed 26
enemy soldiers and destroyed six machine gun
nests, two observer posts and four dugouts
Vernon Baker, a military hero, was awarded the Congressional Medal of
near Viareggio, Italy. He was one of seven Medal
of Honor recipients who became the first Black
soldiers to Honorthe award on January 13, 1997. 5-6, 1945, when he and his platoon killed 26
receive for his actions on April
enemy soldiers and destroyed six machine gun nests, two observer posts
and four dugouts near Viareggio, Italy. He was one of seven Medal of Honor
recipients who became the first Black soldiers to receive the award on
January 13, 1997.
Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15,
1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American
Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an
clergyman, activist, and prominent leader
in the African American civil rights
American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African American
movement. He is best known for being
an iconic figure in the advancement He is best known for being an iconic figure in the
civil rights movement. of
civil rights in the United States and
advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using
around the world, using nonviolent
methods following the teachingsfollowing the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. King is
nonviolent methods of
Mahatma Gandhi. King is often
often presented as a heroic leader in the history of modern American
presented as a heroic leader in the history
of modern AmericanKing was King was
liberalism. liberalism. assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.
assassinated on April 4, 1968, in awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977
He was posthumously
Memphis, Tennessee. He was
posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal in 2004; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was
and the Congressional Gold
Medalestablished 1977 and federal holiday in 1986.
of Freedom in as a U.S.
Congressional Gold Medal in 2004;
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was
established as a U.S. federal holiday in
1986.
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4. Celebrating Black History Month
Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (February
4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) was an
Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005)
African American civil rights activist,
was whom the U.S. Congress later called "the whom the U.S. Congress later
an African American civil rights activist,
called “the first lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom move-
first lady of civil rights", and "the mother
ment.”the freedom the folkloricContrary to the civil rights role, Mrs. Parks
of Contrary to movement. accounts of her
was folklorictired to move. Rather,rights role,
not too accounts of her civil she had been a knowledgeable NAACP
Mrs. Parks was not too tired to move.
stalwart for many years and gave the organization the incident it needed to
Rather, she had been a knowledgeable
move againststalwart for many years and gave
NAACP segregation in the unreconstructed heart of the Confederacy,
Montgomery, AL. the incident it needed to
the organization
move against segregation in the
unreconstructed heart of the Confederacy,
Montgomery, AL.
George Washington Carver was born in 1864 near Diamond Grove,
Missouri. As an agricultural chemist, Carver discovered three hundred uses
for peanuts and hundreds more uses for soybeans, pecans and sweet pota-
George Washington Carver was born items that he suggested to southern farmers to help
toes. Among the listed in
1864 near Diamond Grove, Missouri. As his recipes and improvements to/for: adhesives,
them economically were
an agricultural chemist, Carver
discovered three hundred bleach, buttermilk, chili sauce, fuel briquettes, ink, instant
axle grease, uses for peanuts
coffee, linoleum, mayonnaise, meat tenderizer, metal polish, paper, plastic,
and hundreds more uses for soybeans,
pecans and sweet potatoes. Among the
pavement, shaving cream, shoe polish, synthetic rubber, talcum powder
listed items that he suggested to southern
farmers to help them economically were did not patent or profit from most of his products.
and wood stain. Carver
his recipes and improvements to/for:
He freely gave his discoveries to mankind. Most important was the fact
adhesives, axle grease, bleach, buttermilk,
chili sauce, fuel briquettes, ink, the South from being a one-crop land of cotton, to being
that he changed instant
coffee, linoleum, mayonnaise, meat
tenderizer, metal polish, paper, plastic, with farmers having hundreds of profitable uses for
multi-crop farmlands,
pavement, shaving cream, shoe polish,
their new crops. “God gave them to me,” he would say about his ideas and,
synthetic rubber, talcum powder and
wood stain. Carver did Inot patent or profit
“How can sell them to someone else?” In 1940, Carver donated his life
from most of his products. He freely gave
savings to the establishment of the Carver Research Foundation at Tuske-
his discoveries to mankind. Most
gee, for continuing research in agriculture.
important was the fact that he changed the South from being a one-crop land of cotton, to being
multi-crop farmlands, with farmers having hundreds of profitable uses for their new crops. "God
gave them to me" he would say about his ideas, "How can I sell them to someone else?" In 1940,
Carver donated his life savings to the establishment of the Carver Research Foundation at
Tuskegee, for continuing research in agriculture.
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5. Celebrating Black History Month
Louis Armstrong was born August 4, 1901, New
Orleans,Louis Armstrong 1971, New York.
Louisiana, died July 6, was born August 4, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and
He was a leading trumpeter and one of the most
influential artists in jazz 1971 in New York. He was a leading trumpeter and one of the
died July 6, history. Louie was
possiblymost influential artists all time, but
the greatest jazz musician of in jazz history. Louie was possibly the greatest jazz
certainly the most influential of them all. Fellow
musicians called himof all time, but certainly the most influential of them all.
musician “stachelmouth” because of
his huge, wide grin. Later, it was shortened to
Fellow musicians called him “stachelmouth” because of his huge, wide
“Sachmo”. “Hello, Dolly” and “What a
Wonderful World” were among shortened to “Sachmo.” “Hello, Dolly” and “What a
grin. Later, it was his most famous
pieces. Armstrong toured the world as an
Wonderful World” were among his most famous pieces. Armstrong toured
unofficial goodwill ambassador for America.
the world as an unofficial goodwill ambassador for America.
Chuck Berry, whose full name is Charles
Edward Anderson Berry, is a guitarist and
vocalist in the genres of blues and rock and
roll. He fused blues with hillbilly and stamped
Chuck Berry, whose full
it with his unique playing style and stage name is Charles Edward Anderson Berry, is a
presence.guitarist and vocalist in the genres of blues and rock and roll. He fused
Some of his famous songs are "My
Ding-A-Ling," "Maybellene," "School Day,"
blues with hillbilly and stamped it with his unique playing style and stage
"Sweet Little Sixteen," "Rock & Roll Music,"
"Carol," "Johnny B. Goode," "Roll Over famous songs are “My Ding-A-Ling,” “Maybellene,”
presence. Some of his
Beethoven," "Back in the USA," "Too Much
Monkey Business," "No Particular Place To Sixteen,” “Rock & Roll Music,” “Carol,” “Johnny
“School Day,” “Sweet Little
Go," "No Money Down," "Thirty Days,"
B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Back in the USA,” “Too Much Monkey
"Almost Grown," "Brown Eyed Handsome
Man" andBusiness,” “No Particular Place To Go,” “No Money Down,” “Thirty Days,”
""Wee Wee Hours.
“Almost Grown,” “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” and “Wee Wee Hours.”
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6. Celebrating Black History Month
Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17,
1919 – February 15, 1965), known
professionally as Nat King Cole, was an
American musician who first came to
prominence as a leading jazz pianist.
Although an Adams Colespianist, he 1919 – February 15, 1965), known
Nathaniel accomplished (March 17,
owes most of hisas Nat King Cole, wasto American musician who first came
professionally popular musical fame an
his soft baritone voice, which he used to Although an accomplished pia-
to prominence as a leading jazz pianist.
perform in big band and his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice,
nist, he owes most of jazz genres. He
was one of the first black Americans to
host a television variety show, and has and jazz genres. He was one of the
which he used to perform in big band
first black Americans to host a television variety show, and has maintained
maintained worldwide popularity since
his death. popularity since his death.
worldwide
Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino Jr. (born
Antoine Dominique “Fats” Domino Jr. (born February 26, 1928) is an
February 26, 1928) is an American R&B and
rock and rollR&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter. He was
American pianist and singer-songwriter.
He was born and raised in New Orleans,
born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Domino first attracted national
Louisiana. Domino first attracted national
attention with "The Fat Fat Man” in 1949 on Imperial Records. This song is an
attention with “The Man" in 1949 on
Imperial Records. roll record, an early rock rolling piano and Domino doing “wah-
early rock and This song is featuring a
and rollvocalizing over a rolling piano and
wah” record, featuring a strong back beat. It sold over a million copies and is
Domino doing "wah-wah" vocalizing over a
strong back beat. It soldthe first rock copies record to do so.
widely regarded as over a million and roll
and is widely regarded as the first rock and
roll record to do so.
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