Your Source for African American History
Wednesday
May 14th 2008 		a non-profit education organization

This Date in History:
October 28 620
Literature 		  Aesop, an original teller of stories!
*The birth of Aesop around 620 BC is celebrated on this date.
October 17 1711
Literature 		  Jupiter Hammon, a poetic pioneer.
*Jupiter Hammon was born on this date in 1711.
June 30 1729
Literature 		  Ignatius Sancho, an early Black American writer . . .
*The birth of Ignatius Sancho in 1729 is celebrated on this date.
October 23 1730
Literature 		  Lucy Terry Prince, poet and abolitionist.
*The birth of Lucy Terry Prince in 1730 is celebrated on this date.
March 12 1745
Literature 		  Olaudah Equiano, slave and author!
*On this date in 1745, we remember the birth of Olaudah Equiano, an African slave, and author.
July 11 1753
Literature 		  Poet Phyllis Wheatley was a trailblazer. .
*This date celebrates the birth of Phyllis Wheatley in 1753.
February 15 1793
Literature 		  Austin Stewart, from servitude to authorship!
*The birth of Austin Stewart in 1793 is celebrated on this date.
March 25 1797
Literature 		  THE original American poet, George Moses Horton . .
*The birth of George Moses Horton in 1797 is celebrated on this date.
February 6 1799
Literature 		  Alexander Pushkin, Black Russian poet and novelist!
*The birth of Alexander Pushkin in 1799 is celebrated on this date.
July 24 1802
Literature 		  Alexandre Dumas, writer extraordinaire!
*Alexandre Dumas was born on this date in 1802.
July 29 1805
Literature 		  Alexis de Tocuqeville, wrote about American slavery!
*Alexis de Tocqueville was born this date in 1805.
May 10 1815
Literature 		  Henry Bibb
This date marks the birth of Henry Bibb in 1815.
August 11 1820
Literature 		  Ann Plato, a first for black women authors!
*The birth of Ann Plato around 1820 is celebrated on this date.
September 24 1825
Literature 		  Frances E. Watkins Harper, poet & lecturer!
*Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was born on this date in 1825.
May 26 1828
Literature 		  Lucy Delaney wrote a perspective of American servitude. . .
*The birth of Lucy Ann Delaney in 1828 is celebrated on this date.
March 3 1836
Literature 		  He told his story well, Henry Clay Bruce!
*Henry Clay Bruce was born on this date in 1836.
June 24 1837
Literature 		  The Black Poet, deep beautiful, and heard!
On this date the Registry celebrates African-American poetry.
December 9 1848
Literature 		  Joel Chandler Harris, an imaginative writer.
*On this date in 1848, Joel Chandler Harris was born.
October 16 1849
Literature 		  George W. Williams was a historian and writer.
*George Washington Williams was born on this date in 1849.
August 30 1852
Literature 		  Henrietta Ray, one of New York's finest poets. .
*The birth of Henrietta Ray in 1852 is celebrated on this date.
April 20 1858
Literature 		  She told it like it was, Annie Burton!
*Annie L.
June 20 1858
Literature 		  Charles W. Chesnutt, noted writer of fiction. .
*This date is the birthday of Charles Waddell Chesnutt, born in 1858.
September 5 1859
Literature 		  First novel by a Black American published.
*On this date in 1859, the first novel by an African-American was published.
February 2 1861
Literature 		  Joseph Seamon Cotter, a poetic pioneer!
*Joseph Seamon Cotter, Sr.
May 23 1869
Literature 		  Talented with written words, Olivia Bush!
*The birth of Olivia Ward Bush in 1869 is celebrated on this date.
June 27 1872
Literature 		  Paul L. Dunbar, a groundbreaking poet. . .
*Paul Laurence Dunbar was born in Dayton, Ohio on this date in 1872.
February 17 1874
Literature 		  Maud Hare, Texas original!
*Maud Cuney-Hare was born on this date in 1874.
July 19 1875
Literature 		  Alice N. Dunbar was a teacher and writer. .
*On this date, Alice Nelson Dunbar was born in 1875.
December 6 1878
Literature 		  William Brathwaite published many others.
*This date marks the birth of William S.
February 27 1880
Literature 		  Angelina Grimke, teacher and a first for the black stage!
*On this date we recall the birth in 1880 of Angelina Weld Grimke.
September 10 1880
Literature 		  Poet, Georgia Douglas Johnson.
*This date marks the birth of Georgia Douglas Johnson in 1880.
February 6 1882
Literature 		  Anne Spencer, a poet of many styles!
*Anne Spencer was born on this date in 1882.
April 27 1882
Literature 		  Jesse Fauset, novelist who discovered others. .
*On this date, Jesse Redmon Fauset, was born in 1882.
August 31 1885
Literature 		  DuBose Heyward conveyed Black life!
*Dubose Heyward was born on this date in 1885.
September 15 1890
Literature 		  Claude McKay, an outstanding author.
*This date marks the birthday of Claude McKay in 1890.
January 7 1891
Literature 		  Zora Neale Hurston, folklorist with style.
*Zora Neale Hurston was born on this date in 1891.
April 13 1891
Literature 		  Nella Larsen, a landmark novelist. .
*Nella Larsen was born on this date in 1891.
December 26 1894
Literature 		  A writer of sensitivity, Nathaniel Jean Toomer.
*Nathaniel Jean Toomer was born on this date in 1894.
January 18 1898
Literature 		  Three centuries of life, George Dawson!
*George Dawson was born on this date in 1898.
February 6 1898
Literature 		  Melvin Tolson, a post renaissance poet . . .
*Melvin Tolson was born on this date in 1898.
June 16 1898
Literature 		  Marita Bonner, creator of "Frye Street"
*On this date in 1898, Marita Bonner was born.
May 20 1899
Literature 		  A written voice of Afro-Cuba, Lydia Cabrera. . .
*Lydia Cabrera was born on this date in 1899.
March 8 1900
Literature 		  Marcus B. Christian, Bayou poet and teacher. . .
*Marcus B.
January 4 1901
Literature 		  A man of deep thought, Cyril Lional James
*Cyril Lional Robert James was born on this date in 1901.
May 1 1901
Literature 		  Sterling A. Brown, innovative teacher and poet. .
Sterling Allen Brown was born on this date in 1901.
September 5 1901
Literature 		  A poetic talent, Clarrisa Scott Delaney.
*The birth of Clarissa Scott Delaney in 1901 is celebrated on this date.
July 8 1902
Literature 		  Gwendolyn Bennett was a great poet & artist. .
*Gwendolyn Bennett was born on this date in 1902.
July 10 1902
Literature 		  Afro-Cubas national poet, Nicolas Guillen!
*Nicolas’ Guillen was born on this date in 1902.
August 16 1902
Literature 		  From Salt Lake City to Harlem, Wallace Thurman . . .
*This date marks the birth of Wallace Henry Thurman in 1902.
October 13 1902
Literature 		  A poet of free verse, Arna Bontemps.
*Arna W.
December 5 1902
Literature 		  Annie G. Nelson, writer and dramatist!
Annie Green Nelson was born on this date in 1902.
April 4 1903
Literature 		  Writer, teacher, and activist, Marvel Cooke!
*On this date in 1903, Marvel Cooke was born.
May 30 1903
Literature 		  Countee Cullen, poet and publisher
*Countee Cullen was born on this date in 1903.
August 10 1905
Literature 		  Era Thompson helped shape Ebony magazine!
*This date in 1905 marks the birth of Era Bell Thompson.
December 31 1905
Literature 		  Frank Davis was a natural writer!
*Frank Marshall Davis was born on this date in 1905.
January 2 1906
Literature 		  Elmer S. Campbell, the first published Black cartoonist.
*Elmer Simms Campbell was born on this date in 1906.
July 2 1906
Literature 		  Revolutionary writer, Richard B. Nugent. . .
*On this date, Richard Bruce Nugent was born in 1906.
July 7 1906
Literature 		  Helen Johnson wrote words with a melody!
*Helen Johnson was born on this date in 1906.
June 2 1907
Literature 		  Dorothy West, a renaissance woman. . .
*This date recalls the birth of Dorothy West in 1907.
September 25 1907
Literature 		  Booker T. Washington Literary Club begins!
*On this date in 1907 we celebrate the origin of the Booker T.
September 4 1908
Literature 		  Author Richard Wright, an eloquent spokesman.
*Richard Nathaniel Wright was born on this date in 1908.
October 12 1908
Literature 		  Novelist Ann Petry wrote for all ages.
*Ann Lane Petry was born on this date in 1908.
July 14 1909
Literature 		  Willard Motley wrote novels for film!
*On this date in 1909, Willard Motley was born.
July 28 1909
Literature 		  Chester Himes was an acclaimed author!
*On this date, Chester Himes, was born in 1909 in Jefferson City, Missouri.
November 19 1911
Literature 		  William Attaway, a great all-around writer!
*William Attaway was born on this date in 1911.
August 4 1913
Literature 		  American's first black Poet Laureate, Robert Hayden!
*Robert Hayden was born on this date in 1913.
October 4 1913
Literature 		  Carrie Allen McCray, a source of southern literature.
*Carrie Allen McCray was born on this date in 1913.
November 7 1913
Literature 		  Albert Camus, writer with an Algerian view.
*On this date in 1913, Albert Camus was born.
November 23 1913
Literature 		  Dorothy Sterling, writer of Black women.
*Dorothy Sterling was born on this date in 1913.
January 14 1914
Literature 		  A foundation of Poetry, Dudley Randall
*On this date in 1914, Dudley Randall was born.
March 1 1914
Literature 		  Author Ralph Ellison, a legendary writer. . .
*Ralph Ellison was born on this date in 1914.
January 12 1915
Literature 		  From Kentucky to the World, writer Margaret Danner!
*Margaret Danner was born in on this date in 1915.
July 7 1915
Literature 		  Novelist and poet Margaret Walker, a contributor . . .
*On this date in 1915, Margaret Walker was born in Birmingham, Alabama.
January 14 1916
Literature 		  Novelist John O. Killens wrote Black Man's Burden
*This date marks the birthday of John Oliver Killens.
March 8 1916
Literature 		  An author of "Thought," Harold Cruse!
*Harold Cruse was born on this date in 1916.
May 12 1916
Literature 		  An intense, sensitive writer; Albert Murray
On this date, Albert L.
September 5 1916
Literature 		  Frank Yerby was an award winning novelist.
*This date marks the birth of Frank Yerby in 1916.
June 7 1917
Literature 		  Gwendolyn Brooks, a poet for everyone!
*Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks was born on this date in 1917.
November 1 1918
Literature 		  The Harlem Renaissance, this is Who I Am!
*The Harlem Renaissance (circ 1918) is briefly written about on this dates Registry.
September 7 1919
Literature 		  Louise Bennett, Miss Lou was a Jamaican Icon!
*Louise Bennett was born on this date in 1919.
February 1 1920
Literature 		  Writer Langston Hughes used many styles. . .
*African-American writer James Mercer Langston Hughes was born on this date in 1902.
June 16 1920
Literature 		  A revolutionary writer, John H. Griffin.
*On this date in 1920, John Griffin was born.
June 15 1921
Literature 		  James Emanuel, a poet from afar . . .
*James Emanuel was born on this date in 1921.
August 11 1921
Literature 		  Alex Haley brought Blackness to readers and television.
*Alex Haley was born on this date in 1921.
July 5 1923
Literature 		  Naomi Madgett, a messenger of verse!
*Naomi Long Madgett was born on this date in 1923.
August 2 1924
Literature 		  Author James Baldwin, a leading black writer and critic.
*James Arthur Baldwin was born on this date in 1924.
April 18 1925
Literature 		  Bob Kaufman, a spiritual poet!
*Bob Kaufman was born on this date in 1925.
August 11 1925
Literature 		  Carl Rowan was an inspiring communicator . . .
*Carl Rowan was born on this date in 1925.
April 4 1928
Literature 		  THE messenger, Dr. Maya Angelou!
*Maya Angelou was born on this date in 1928.
July 4 1928
Literature 		  A "Spoken Word" original, Ted Joans . . .
*Ted Joans was born on this date in 1928.
October 17 1928
Literature 		  Lerone Bennett Jr., a classic author!
*Lerone Bennett, Jr.
December 2 1928
Literature 		  One of Minnesota's finest, Evelyn Fairbanks!
*On this date in 1928, Evelyn Fairbanks was born.
May 17 1929
Literature 		  Eloise Greenfield, a voice for children!
*Eloise Greenfield was born on this date in 1929.
December 14 1929
Literature 		  A voice from Harlem, Raymond Patterson!
*On this date in 1929, Raymond R.
January 23 1930
Literature 		  Derek Walcott, poet extraordinaire!
*Derek Walcott was born on this date in 1930.
May 19 1930
Literature 		  Lorraine Hansberry, writer of American classics. . .
*Lorraine Hansberry was born on this date in 1930.
November 16 1930
Literature 		  Chinua Achebe, Nigeria's finest modern writer!
*Chinua Achebe was born on this date in 1930.
February 18 1931
Literature 		  Toni Morrison, a writer who explores from within!
*This date marks the birth of Toni Morrison in 1931.
April 19 1931
Literature 		  Etheridge Knight, a strong poet. .
*On this date we remember the birth of Etheridge Knight in 1931.
March 20 1932
Literature 		  Tom Dent, an artistic activist!
*Tom Dent was born on this date in 1932.
January 15 1933
Literature 		  Ernest Gaines, a soulful writer!
*Ernest J.
February 22 1933
Literature 		  Ishmael Reed is a total writer!
*Ishmael Reed was born on this date 1933.
June 21 1933
Literature 		  Gerald Barrax, a poet with humanity in mind!
*Gerald Barrax was born on this date in 1933.
February 18 1934
Literature 		  Harlem's Audre Lorde, poet & feminist!
*Audre Lorde was born on this date in 1934.
July 13 1934
Literature 		  Wole Soyinka, award winning playwrite/novelist!
*Wole Soyinka was born on this date in 1934.
July 20 1934
Literature 		  Henry Dumas, a legacy carried on. . .
*Henry Dumas was born on this date in 1934.
October 7 1934
Literature 		  Amiri Baraka, a voice of concern and controversy.
*Amiri Baraka was born on this date in 1934.
March 12 1936
Literature 		  A writer of tradition, Virginia E. Hamilton. .
*Virginia Esther Hamilton was born on this date in 1936.
May 10 1936
Literature 		  Total expression . . . , Jayne Cortez!
This date in 1936 marks the birth of Jayne Cortez.
June 27 1936
Literature 		  Lucille Clifton has the gift of verse. . .
*Lucille Clifton was born on this date in 1936.
July 9 1936
Literature 		  One of New York's finest, June Jordan!
*June Jordan was born on this date in 1936.
January 9 1937
Literature 		  Author Leon Forest, a writer who started as a journalist.
*On this date we recall the birth of Leon Forest in 1937.
February 23 1937
Literature 		  Claude Brown, another Harlem success!
*Claude Brown was born on this date in 1937.
July 6 1937
Literature 		  One of South Africa's finest, Bessie Head . . .
*On this date in 1937, Bessie Head was born.
September 5 1937
Literature 		  Larry Neal, artistic thinker and writer.
*On this date in 1937, Larry Neal was born.
March 18 1938
Literature 		  Michael S. Harper, poet and promoter of verse!
*The birth of Michael S.
January 27 1939
Literature 		  Julius Lester, a writer for "All Eyes" . . .
*Julius Lester was born on this date in 1939.
March 25 1939
Literature 		  Toni Bambara, writer and activist. . .
*Toni Cade Bambara was born on this date in 1939.
May 31 1939
Literature 		  A true Delta poet, Al Young!
*Al Young was born on this date in 1939.
September 19 1939
Literature 		  An African writing voice, Willie Kgositsile.
*Willie Kgositsile was born on this date in 1938.
January 29 1940
Literature 		  Poet with a stroke of luck, Sterling Plumpp!
*Sterling Plumpp was born on this date in 1940.
September 15 1940
Literature 		  Reclusive and talented, Anne Moody!
*Anne Moody was born on this date in 1940.
April 12 1941
Literature 		  Toi Derricotte, one of Michigan's finest. . .
*Toi Derricotte was born on this date in 1941.
June 14 1941
Literature 		  John Edgar Wideman, his words "Do Apply".
*John Edgar Wideman was born on this date in 1941.
February 23 1942
Literature 		  Haki Madhubuti, a great contemporary writer!
*Haki R.
June 7 1943
Literature 		  Passionate words, Nikki Giovanni!
*On this date in 1943, Nikki Giovanni was born.
February 9 1944
Literature 		  A special author, Alice Walker. . .
*This date marks the birth of Alice Walker in 1944.
July 28 1945
Literature 		  Evelyn Williams, a pasionate southern poet. . .
*Evelyn Dilworth-Williams was born on this date in 1945.
December 14 1945
Literature 		  Stanley Crouch has questions and answers.
*Stanley Crouch was born on this date in 1945.
December 14 1945
Literature 		  Carolyn Rodgers, an interesting poet.
*Carolyn Rodgers was born on this date in 1945.
June 22 1947
Literature 		  Octavia Butler, a unique writer!
*Octavia Estelle Butler was born on this date in 1947.
July 14 1947
Literature 		  Writer of revolutionary text, Assata Shakur!
*Assata Olugbala Shakur was born on this date in 1947.
August 11 1947
Literature 		  Yusef Komunyakaa, a man of many words . . .
*The birth of Yusef Komunyakaa in 1947 is celebrated on this date.
January 15 1948
Literature 		  Johari Amini, a great educator and writer. . .
*Johari Amini was born on this date in 1948.
May 22 1948
Literature 		  Thulani Davis, a voice of the written word. . .
*The birth of Thulani Davis in 1948 is celebrated on this date.
August 22 1948
Literature 		  Sekou Sundiata, 'Words Do Apply'.
*Sekou Sundiata was born on this date in 1948.
December 7 1948
Literature 		  Thorough in writing, Pearl Cleage!
*Pearl Cleage was born on this date in 1948.
January 25 1950
Literature 		  A great contemporary writer, Gloria Naylor!
*Gloria Naylor was born on this date in 1950.
February 18 1950
Literature 		  Bebe Moore, a writer of depth. . .
*Bebe Moore was born on this date in 1950.
July 25 1951
Literature 		  Poetry from the Magnolia State, Angela Jackson!
*Angela Jackson was born on this date in 1951.
October 18 1951
Literature 		  An author for everyone, Terry McMillan!
*On this date in 1951, Terry McMillan was born.
August 28 1952
Literature 		  Rita Dove, poet extraordinaire . . .
*Rita Dove was born on this date in 1952.
September 25 1952
Literature 		  "And That's The Truth," Bell Hooks!
*Bell Hooks was born on this date in 1952.
December 29 1953
Literature 		  "Tookie" Williams, sinner or saint?
*Stanley "Tookie" Williams was born on this date in 1953.
July 12 1954
Literature 		  One of Missouri's finest, Ruth M. Garnett . . .
*Ruth-Miriam Garnett was born on this date in 1954.
June 11 1961
Literature 		  Frank Walker, a voice and writer of reason. . .
*Frank X.
February 24 1962
Literature 		  Elizabeth Alexander, one of Harlem's best!
*The birth of Elizabeth Alexander in 1962 is celebrated on this date.
September 5 1965
Literature 		  The Watts Writers' Project is formed.
*On this date from 1965 we celebrate the Watts Writers’ Workshop.
October 17 1985
Literature 		  Black Poetry Day is celebrated!
*This date from 1985 is Black Poetry Day.
October 8 1992
Literature 		  First Black wins Nobel Prize in Literature!
*On this date in 1992, the Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Derek Walcott.
 
 

    

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