Happy Black History Month! February is not only considered a month of love, but it’s a time of celebration for Black people around the world. We all know of many notable Black historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman, but there are many other events and figures that have made Black history across the country. Here are just a few:
1. American TV’s First Interracial Kiss
Classic sci-fi tv show, Star Trek, shocked America in 1968 when the episode titled “Plato’s Stepchildren” featured an interracial kiss between Captain James T. Kirk and Lieutenant Nyota Uhura. According to the plot, the kiss was forced by the telekinetic powers of outside forces.
2. Cheryl Mills, The First Black Woman To Speak During An Impeachment Trial
During President Bill Clinton’s explosive impeachment trial in 1999, Cheryl Mills, a young attorney at the time, became not only the first woman to address the U.S. Senate, but the first Black person in history to do so. Cheryl’s opening statements made note of President Clinton’s mistakes while also mentioning Clinton's support of minorities and women among other things, essentially humanizing him in the eyes of the Senate. Many believe that her words swayed the Senate to acquittal.
3. Reuben V. Anderson, The First Black Supreme Court Justice In Mississippi
In 1985, Reuben V. Anderson made history as he was sworn in as Mississippi’s first Black Supreme Court Justice. After attending Tougaloo College and earning his undergraduate degree, Reuben attended Ole Miss Law School and graduated in 1967.
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He moved on to work with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund on a number of significant cases such as desegregation and voter rights matters. In 1976, Reuben was appointed as a municipal judge for the city of Jackson in 1981, he was promoted to circuit judge and by 1985 he was sworn in to his new position as Supreme Court Justice
4. The Fultz Quadruplets
The Fultz Quadruplets, Mary Louise, Mary Ann, Mary Alice, and Mary Catherine, were the first Black identical quadruplet babies born in the United States in 1946. The Quads were born in what was referred to as “the basement”, which was the Blacks-only wing of the North Carolina hospital.
News of the birth spread quickly and The Quads quickly rose to fame. They appeared in ad campaigns for baby formula companies like Gerber and PET and even made the cover of Ebony Magazine. After being exploited by the doctor that delivered them, they were eventually adopted by a nurse and her husband at the age of 22.
Those are your four little known Black history facts! Use this month to educate those around you about the amazing advancements Black people have made in history.
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Lisa Evans is a 26-year old faith and lifestyle blogger from Cleveland, OH. Lisa’s goal is to become a journalist, speaker, and author motivating women across the world.
