Debi Thomas 1st Black to win winter Olympic medal
February 27, 1988
Figure skater Debi Thomas becomes the first African American to win a medal (bronze) at the winter Olympic Games.
Anna Julia Cooper passes
February 27, 1964
Anna Julia Cooper, champion for the rights of black women, dies at the age of 105.
Charlayne Hunter-Gault
February 27, 1942
Journalist Charlayne Hunter was born this day in Due West, South Carolina.
Marian Anderson born
February 27, 1902
On this day Marian Anderson, who will become a world-renowned opera singer and the first African American soloist to perform at hte White House , is born in Philadelphia, PA.
John W. Menard speaks in Congress
February 27, 1869
John W. Menard spoke in Congress in defense of his claim to a contested seat in Louisiana’s Second Congressional District. Congress decided against both claimants. Congressman James A. Garfield of the examining committee said “it was too early to admit a Negro to the U.S. Congress.” Menard was the first Black to make a speech in Congress.
First American-born woman to give public lectures
February 27, 1833
On this day in 1833, Maria W. Steward delivered one of the four speeches which confirmed her place in history as the first American-born woman to give public lectures. Stewards lectures focused on encouraging African-Americans to attain education, political rights, and public recognition for their achievements. Her speech on thi day delivered at the African Masonic Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, was titled “On African Rights and Liberty.” Sixty-seven years later in Boston on this same day, African-American teacher and poet Angelina Weld Grimke was born. Grimke was a descendant of the famous white abolitionist and feminist sisters Angelina and Sarah Grimke.
Facts taken from: BlackFacts.com
Graphic taken from: Biography.com
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