About African-American History

The Middle Passage

2009-10-14T03:00:49Z

During the Middle Passage, African slaves endured grueling conditions as they traveled to an unknown fate in the Americas. They slept below the deck on un-sanded plank floors without fresh air or light. Amazingly, most slaves survived this taxing journey but faced a lifetime of forced servitude.

The Middle Passage originally appeared on About.com African-American History on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 03:00:49.

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Sarah Vaughan

2009-10-12T03:00:35Z

With only vocal experience in a church choir, a young Sarah Vaughan set her sights on a singing career. It was on the stage of the Harlem Apollo Theater that Vaughan launched her career. She was an untrained singer with a three-octave range and an amazing ability to improvise. By the end of her life, critics and colleagues recognized her as one of the greatest singers in the history of jazz.

Sarah Vaughan Quotes

Photo � Copyright William P. Gottlieb www.jazzphotos.com

Sarah Vaughan originally appeared on About.com African-American History on Monday, October 12th, 2009 at 03:00:35.

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Open House Weekend at the Hunterfly Road Houses in New York

2009-10-09T10:16:41Z

Four mid-19th century houses, known as the Hunterfly Road Houses, have become an important part of a New York City neighborhood. In 1968, the Weeksville Heritage Foundation acquired the homes and they are part of the National Register of Historic Places. The homes were part of the Weeksville community, a neighborhood of free African Americans. After 40 years of planning, the foundation is finally breaking ground on a project that will educate the public about the Weeksville community.

Open House Weekend at the Hunterfly Road Houses in New York originally appeared on About.com African-American History on Friday, October 9th, 2009 at 10:16:41.

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Marian Anderson: An Accidental Civil Rights Advocate

2009-10-07T03:00:17Z

Despite singer Marian Anderson's reluctance to become involved in racial issues and the civil rights movement, her presence in the music world inevitably led to the breakdown of racial barriers. One of Anderson's most significant contributions was her performance at the Metropolitan Opera House, which made her the first African American to perform there.

Marian Anderson Quotes

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Carl Van Vechten Collection.

Marian Anderson: An Accidental Civil Rights Advocate originally appeared on About.com African-American History on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 at 03:00:17.

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Bessie Smith: Empress of the Blues

2009-10-05T03:00:52Z

Bessie Smith, often referred to as the Empress of the Blues, was known for her amazing classical blues style. She was one of the most popular blues singers during the 1920s, but when the Great Depression hit she had to revamp her style. Just as she was making a comeback with a more modern repertoire, her life was tragically cut short.

Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Carl Van Vechten Photograph Collection.

Bessie Smith: Empress of the Blues originally appeared on About.com African-American History on Monday, October 5th, 2009 at 03:00:52.

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Satchel Paige

2009-10-02T03:00:07Z

Satchel Paige was considered one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the Negro leagues. He could draw a crowd and pitch a no hitter. He was entertaining, talented, and always on the move to the team that offered the most money. Despite his unreliability, he was a highly desirable player and teams were willing to take the chance of his departure just to have him on the team.

Satchel Paige originally appeared on About.com African-American History on Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at 03:00:07.

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Muhammad Ali

2009-09-30T03:00:38Z

Muhammad Ali was a symbol of black pride and defiance during the 1960s. He was outspoken and boastful, and as his professional boxing career progressed, it became clear why he was called "the greatest"--his speed, his footwork, and his ability to take a punch were unmatched.

Quotes from Muhammad Ali

Photo by Getty Images.

Muhammad Ali originally appeared on About.com African-American History on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 03:00:38.

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W.C. Handy: The Father of the Blues

2009-09-28T03:00:26Z

He was not the inventor of blues music, but W.C. Handy was dubbed the "Father of the Blues.� Handy was not only instrumental in the development of blues improvisation, but he was an important part of introducing this genre into mainstream music.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Carl Van Vechten Collection.

W.C. Handy: The Father of the Blues originally appeared on About.com African-American History on Monday, September 28th, 2009 at 03:00:26.

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Hiram Revels: America's First Black Senator

2009-09-25T03:00:18Z

Hiram Revels was not necessarily an extraordinary U.S. Senator, but he was the first one of African American descent. During the Reconstruction era, Revels, a minister and teacher, emerged from Mississippi�s state legislature as a promising politician. Although he was more moderate than some of his Radical Republican colleagues in the Senate, he knew when to take the hard-line against racial injustice.

Hiram Revels: America's First Black Senator originally appeared on About.com African-American History on Friday, September 25th, 2009 at 03:00:18.

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Maria Stewart

2009-09-23T03:00:03Z

At a time when American society relegated women to the domestic sphere, Maria W. Stewart immersed herself into the position of a public political activist. While her career in the public sphere was short, the effect of her presence influenced other�female activists to follow in the footsteps of the woman who became America's first black female political writer.

Maria Stewart's Writings and Speeches

Maria Stewart originally appeared on About.com African-American History on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 at 03:00:03.

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