
This week in history: First African American congressman speaks on House of Representatives floor
Jefferson Franklin Long: the first black member to speak on the House floor.

Today in black history: Civil rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson dies, becomes catalyst for Selma march
Twenty-six year old civil rights protester Jimmie Lee Jackson died this day, Feb. 26, 1965, from gunshot wounds inflicted by Alabama State Trooper after marching in a peaceful protest.

New Yorkers celebrate Black History Month
NEW YORK - It was a standing room only audience rejoicing at the wonderful program of song, poetry and inspiring speeches at the "We're Not Going Back" Black History event at Unity Center here.

Today in black history: Michael Jackson wins 8 Grammys
On February 28, 1984, musician and entertainer Michael Jackson won an amazing eight awards at the 26th Grammy Awards show:

Black history exhibit features Maryland protests of 1940s-50s
Struggles against segregation and for militant trade unionism in Maryland were the subject of a Feb. 23 Black History Month program sponsored by the Baltimore Marxist Labor Forum.

The war in Newark, 1967
I sat for two hours copying word for word the reports of the gunshot wounds that ultimately killed 26 people in Newark. Most of them died from gunshot wounds in the back.

Labor mobilizes to save Voting Rights Act
Voting rights were high on the agenda of the AFL-CIO's executive council meeting February 27 as the Supreme Court heard a challenge to Section 5 of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act.

New York African American History Event 2/24: We're Not Going Back!
A Black Hisotry Month celebration in New York City, Feb 24, 2012 featuring Jarvis Tyner, Amiri Baraka, Pearl Granat, and Chris Owens among others. Will be streamed live!

Today in black history: Malcolm X assassinated
Malcolm became an influential figure to many African-Americans and supporters of civil rights and equality, and continues to be so today.


