Black History Pages

On This Day in Black History: March 12

1609

Bermuda became a British colony.

1773

Haitian explorer Jean-Baptiste Pointe du Sable founded a settlement called Eschikagou on the north bank of the Chicago River. In 1968, he was officially recognized as the founder of Chicago by the State of Illinois.

1868

Lesotho (then Basutoland) became a British territory.

1878

Walvis Bay and its surrounding region were annexed by Great Britain.

1908

Thurgood Marshall, the first black Supreme Court justice, was born.

1955

Charlie Parker, one of the most innovative and influential jazz musicians, died in New York City.

1964

Malcolm X announced his split from Elijah Muhammad's Nation of Islam.

1968

Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom.

1976

South African troops left Angola.

1982

Charles Fuller won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for A Soldier's Play, which was adapted for the screen as A Soldier's Story.

1988

Harlem Renaissance artist Romare Bearden, known for his collages, died in New York City.

1994

In South Africa, Bophuthatswana homeland president Lucas Mangope was deposed by the multi-party Transitional Executive Council.

Today's Featured Page

Onesimus
Onesimus' recollection of a traditional African medical practice saved numerous lives and sparked the introduction of smallpox inoculation in the United States. More...

Previously Featured Pages

Octavia E. Butler
Born in 1947 in Pasadena, California, Octavia E. Butler is the first published African-American female science fiction writer. She is widely recognized and critically acclaimed, while introducing the African-American and feminist perspective into the genre. More...

Otis Boykin
One of Otis Boykin's early inventions was an improved electrical resistor for computers, radios, televisions and an assortment of other electronic devices. More...

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

Queen Nzinga
Queen Nzinga's meeting with the Portugese governor, recorded by a Dutch artist, is legendary in the history of Africa's confrontations with Europe. More...

Nehanda
Nehanda's dying words, "My bones will rise again," predicted the Second Chimurenga, which culminated in the independence of present-day Zimbabwe. More...

Nanny of the Maroons
Nanny, or Granny Nanny as she was affectionately called, was a brilliant military strategist. She was equally adept at being a shrewd military tactician and the spiritual leader of the Windward Maroons, providing the group with military and religious stability. More...


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	On This Day in Black History: March 12 1609 Bermuda became a British colony. 1773 Haitian explorer Jean-Baptiste Pointe du Sable founded a settlement called Eschikagou on the north bank of the Chicago River. In 1968, he was officially recognized as the founder of Chicago by the State of Illinois. 1868 Lesotho (then Basutoland) became a British territory. 1878 Walvis Bay and its surrounding region were annexed by Great Britain. 1908 Thurgood Marshall, the first black Supreme Court justice, was born. 1955 Charlie Parker, one of the most innovative and influential jazz musicians, died in New York City. 1964 Malcolm X announced his split from Elijah Muhammad's Nation of Islam. 1968 Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom. 1976 South African troops left Angola. 1982 Charles Fuller won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for A Soldier's Play, which was adapted for the screen as A Soldier's Story. 1988 Harlem Renaissance artist Romare Bearden, known for his collages, died in New York City. 1994 In South Africa, Bophuthatswana homeland president Lucas Mangope was deposed by the multi-party Transitional Executive Council. Today's Featured Page Onesimus Onesimus' recollection of a traditional African medical practice saved numerous lives and sparked the introduction of smallpox inoculation in the United States. More... Previously Featured Pages Octavia E. Butler Born in 1947 in Pasadena, California, Octavia E. Butler is the first published African-American female science fiction writer. She is widely recognized and critically acclaimed, while introducing the African-American and feminist perspective into the genre. More... Otis Boykin One of Otis Boykin's early inventions was an improved electrical resistor for computers, radios, televisions and an assortment of other electronic devices. More... Matthew Henson When Robert E. Peary purportedly discovered the North Pole, the person standing beside him was a black man—Matthew A. Henson. More... Queen Nzinga Queen Nzinga's meeting with the Portugese governor, recorded by a Dutch artist, is legendary in the history of Africa's confrontations with Europe. More... Nehanda Nehanda's dying words, "My bones will rise again," predicted the Second Chimurenga, which culminated in the independence of present-day Zimbabwe. More... Nanny of the Maroons Nanny, or Granny Nanny as she was affectionately called, was a brilliant military strategist. She was equally adept at being a shrewd military tactician and the spiritual leader of the Windward Maroons, providing the group with military and religious stability. More... Copyright © 1996-2008 5x5 Media and African Images. All rights reserved.