Black History Pages

On This Day in Black History: August 8

1444

The first public sale of African slaves was held in Lagos, Portugal.

1796

The African Society for Mutual Aid and Charity was founded by a group of Boston blacks.

1805

The First African Baptist church, an independent black church, was organized at Boston, Massachusetts. It was the first Negro Baptist church in the North.

1846

The Wilmot Proviso, a congressional amendment to ban slavery in territories purchased from Mexico following the Mexican-American War, was introduced.

1866

Matthew A. Henson, famous explorer and co-discoverer of the North Pole with Robert E. Peary, was born.

1968

A race riot erupted in Miami, Florida while Republicans were holding their national convention in Miami Beach.

1969

President Nixon issued Executive Order 11478 (Equal Employment Opportunity in the Federal Government).

1988

South Africa, Cuba and Angola signed a ceasefire treaty in Angola and Namibia, which paved the way for Namibian independence and the withdrawal of Cuban troops in Angola.

Heal Emru, and Help the Global Black Community

In mid-December, Black History Pages co-founder Emru Townsend was diagnosed with leukemia, as well as a condition called monosomy 7. Due to the monosomy 7, he has an increased risk of the leukemia coming back, no matter how successful chemotherapy is.

Emru needs a bone marrow transplant. This kind of therapy is administered through a transplant of bone marrow stem cells from a matching donor. While anyone can match Emru, the best chances for a match come from someone who shares the same ethnic background—and blacks are underrepresented in international bone marrow registries.

This is an issue that affects not only Emru personally, but every black person in the world who needs a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplants can save the lives of certain patients with a variety of diseases, including leukemia, Hunter's disease, osteopetrosis and even, in some cases, sickle cell anemia—a disease that predominantly affects blacks.

How can you help? Registering as a potential bone marrow donor is just a matter of getting your cheek swabbed or giving a blood sample. International bone marrow registries are linked to each other, so every black person who takes a few minutes out of their day to register is not only increasing Emru's chances of survival, but that of every black person in the world waiting for a transplant. Learn more, including where and how you can register, at the Heal Emru website.

Today's Featured Page

Matthew Henson
When Robert E. Peary purportedly discovered the North Pole, the person standing beside him was a black man—Matthew A. Henson. More...

Previously Featured Pages

Dr. Patricia S. Cowings
Dr. Patricia S. Cowings is the Director of Pyschophysiological Research at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett's Field, California. With a career spanning nearly three decades with NASA, Dr. Cowings was the first American woman selected to be an astronaut way back, as she states, "before Sally Ride's day and they didn't even have a uniform for me." More...

Andrew Beard
On November 23, 1897 Andrew Beard obtained a patent for his railroad car coupler—the "Jenny Coupler." The device, improved in 1899, was the precursor of today's linking mechanism. More...

The Golden Stool of the Asante
The Golden Stool of the Asante contains the soul or sunsum of the nation. It is considered to be so sacred that no one is allowed to sit on it. More...

The Scramble for Africa
The Scramble for Africa was powered not so much by conditions in Africa, but by the economic, social and political conditions in Europe during the second half of the nineteenth century. In economic terms, it was "not so much as an overproduction of ... goods in Europe as an undersupply of raw materials". More...

Queen Amina of Zaria
Amina was 16 years old when her mother became queen and she was given the traditional title of magajiya. She honed her military skills and became famous for her bravery and military exploits. More...

The Fall of Benin
On February 17, 1897, Benin City fell to the British. On that fateful day in history, the city of Benin lost its independence, its sovereignty, its Oba (king), its control of trade, and its pride. More...


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	On This Day in Black History: August 8 1444 The first public sale of African slaves was held in Lagos, Portugal. 1796 The African Society for Mutual Aid and Charity was founded by a group of Boston blacks. 1805 The First African Baptist church, an independent black church, was organized at Boston, Massachusetts. It was the first Negro Baptist church in the North. 1846 The Wilmot Proviso, a congressional amendment to ban slavery in territories purchased from Mexico following the Mexican-American War, was introduced. 1866 Matthew A. Henson, famous explorer and co-discoverer of the North Pole with Robert E. Peary, was born. 1968 A race riot erupted in Miami, Florida while Republicans were holding their national convention in Miami Beach. 1969 President Nixon issued Executive Order 11478 (Equal Employment Opportunity in the Federal Government). 1988 South Africa, Cuba and Angola signed a ceasefire treaty in Angola and Namibia, which paved the way for Namibian independence and the withdrawal of Cuban troops in Angola. Heal Emru, and Help the Global Black Community In mid-December, Black History Pages co-founder Emru Townsend was diagnosed with leukemia, as well as a condition called monosomy 7. Due to the monosomy 7, he has an increased risk of the leukemia coming back, no matter how successful chemotherapy is. Emru needs a bone marrow transplant. This kind of therapy is administered through a transplant of bone marrow stem cells from a matching donor. While anyone can match Emru, the best chances for a match come from someone who shares the same ethnic background—and blacks are underrepresented in international bone marrow registries. This is an issue that affects not only Emru personally, but every black person in the world who needs a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplants can save the lives of certain patients with a variety of diseases, including leukemia, Hunter's disease, osteopetrosis and even, in some cases, sickle cell anemia—a disease that predominantly affects blacks. How can you help? Registering as a potential bone marrow donor is just a matter of getting your cheek swabbed or giving a blood sample. International bone marrow registries are linked to each other, so every black person who takes a few minutes out of their day to register is not only increasing Emru's chances of survival, but that of every black person in the world waiting for a transplant. Learn more, including where and how you can register, at the Heal Emru website. Today's Featured Page Matthew Henson When Robert E. Peary purportedly discovered the North Pole, the person standing beside him was a black man—Matthew A. Henson. More... Previously Featured Pages Dr. Patricia S. Cowings Dr. Patricia S. Cowings is the Director of Pyschophysiological Research at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett's Field, California. With a career spanning nearly three decades with NASA, Dr. Cowings was the first American woman selected to be an astronaut way back, as she states, "before Sally Ride's day and they didn't even have a uniform for me." More... Andrew Beard On November 23, 1897 Andrew Beard obtained a patent for his railroad car coupler—the "Jenny Coupler." The device, improved in 1899, was the precursor of today's linking mechanism. More... The Golden Stool of the Asante The Golden Stool of the Asante contains the soul or sunsum of the nation. It is considered to be so sacred that no one is allowed to sit on it. More... The Scramble for Africa The Scramble for Africa was powered not so much by conditions in Africa, but by the economic, social and political conditions in Europe during the second half of the nineteenth century. In economic terms, it was "not so much as an overproduction of ... goods in Europe as an undersupply of raw materials". More... Queen Amina of Zaria Amina was 16 years old when her mother became queen and she was given the traditional title of magajiya. She honed her military skills and became famous for her bravery and military exploits. More... The Fall of Benin On February 17, 1897, Benin City fell to the British. On that fateful day in history, the city of Benin lost its independence, its sovereignty, its Oba (king), its control of trade, and its pride. More... Copyright © 1996-2008 5x5 Media and African Images. All rights reserved.