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31 Black Facts for 1939

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Squires, Bernard (1904-1947)

Bernard Squires was the president of the Omaha chapter of the Urban League from 1935 to 1939 and the Seattle chapter of the Urban League from 1939 to 1943. Squires was born in Toledo, Ohio in 1904. He graduated from high school in Toledo, and went on to Ohio State University before graduating in

Source: Black Past

Jun

1

1939

Born on this day: Charles Fuller

Playwright Charles Fuller was born in Philadelphia March 5, 1939. Fuller co-founded the Afro-American Arts Theatre in Philadelphia, his hometown, in 1967. The Perfect Party (1969) was the first of Fullers plays to receive critical acclaim. Zooman and the Sign won an Obie Award in 1980. A Soldiers

Source: Blackfacts.com

Mar

5

1939

NAACP organizes the Education Fund and Legal Defense, 1939

NAACP organizes the Education Fund and Legal Defense, 1939

Source: Blackfacts.com

Oct

11

1939

Eddie Kendricks

Eddie Kendricks is born in Union Springs, Alabama. He will become

Source: Blackfacts.com

Dec

17

1939

Source: AA Studies Research Guide

Nov

26

1939

Jane Matilda Bolin appointed judge of court

Jane Matilda Bolin appointed judge of court of domestic relations in New York City, by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and became the first Black woman judge.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jul

22

1939

John Amos, actor, made famous in Good Times television program, born.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Dec

27

1939

Charley Pride born

Country singer Charley Pride is born in Sledge, Mississippi.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Mar

18

1939

Actor Cleavon Little born

Actor Cleavon Little, a co-star in Mel Brooks movie Blazing Saddles, was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jun

1

1939

Claudette Colvin - Birthday

She was born on September 5, 1939.

Source: Black History Resources

Sep

5

1939

Hugh Masekela , (born April 4, 1939, Witbank, South Africa), South African trumpeter who was one of his country’s most popular instrumentalists. An outspoken opponent of apartheid, he lived in the United States, Europe, and Africa while bringing his own country’s unique rhythms and harmonies to

Source: Brittanica

Apr

4

1939

Marian Wright Edelman

Marian Wright Edelman is a children’s rights activist, lawyer and educator. Born on June 6, 1939 in Bennettsville, South Carolina, her father was a Baptist preacher, who taught Marian and her siblings the value of education. He passed away when Marian was 14, and his dying advice to Marian was not

Source: Black History Resources

Jun

6

1939

Collins, Barbara-Rose (1939- )

U.S. Congresswoman Barbara-Rose Collins was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 13, 1939 to Lunar N. and Vera (Jones) Richardson. Collins attended Wayne State University in Detroit. Her career began at Wayne State University where she served as business manager, worked in the Physics department, and

Source: Black Past

Apr

13

1939

Joe Sample - Birthday

Sample was born in Houston, Texas on February 1, 1939.

Source: BlackHistory.com

Feb

1

1939

The New Negro Theater is founded in Los Angeles

The New Negro Theater is founded in Los Angeles, California by Langston Hughes.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Mar

19

1939

Robinson, Max (1939-1988) - Birthday

Robinson was born on May 1, 1939 in Richmond, Virginia to Maxie and Doris Robinson.

Source: Black Past

May

1

1939

The Ethel Waters Show

The Ethel Waters Show, a variety special appears on NBC. It is the first time an African American appears on television

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jun

14

1939

Marian Anderson performs for 65,000 on the steps

Marian Anderson performs for 65,000 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after she is refused admission to the Daughters of the American Revolutions Constitutional Hall

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

9

1939

Marvin Gaye is born

Marvin Gaye is born in Washington, D.C. He will sign with Motown in 1962 and begin a 22-year career that includes hits Pride and Joy, duets with Mary Wells and Tammi Terrell, as well as best-selling albums exploring his social consciousness (Whats Going On) and sexuality (Lets Get It On, Midnight

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

2

1939

The Rens, the first black professional basketball team, become the first black team on record to win a professional worlds championship, 1939

Source: Blackfacts.com

Mar

1

1939

Marian Wright Edelman was born on this day.

Marian Wright Edelman was born on this day.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jun

6

1939

George Carruthers - Birthday

George Carruthers was born on October 1, 1939 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Source: Black History Resources

Oct

1

1939

Tina Turner was an American pop sensation and actress, known for her distinctive, raspy singing style and all out stage performances. She was born on November 26, 1939 in Tennessee to a poor farming family. When her parents split, Tina and her sister lived with their grandmother until her death in

Source: Black History Resources

Nov

26

1939

Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. was a legendary singer and recording artist who came to be known as the “Prince of Soul”. Gaye was born on April 2, 1939 in Washington, D.C. He was raised by his father “Reverend Marvin Gay Sr.” who was a very strict guardian. Gaye was musically

Source: Black History Resources

Apr

2

1939

Lynch, John Roy (1847-1939)

John Roy Lynch, congressman, soldier, and author was born in Concordia Parish, Louisiana on September 10, 1847 to Patrick Lynch, an Irish immigrant and Catherine White, a slave. Lynch’s father died soon after his birth. Lynch and his mother were then traded to a plantation in

Source: Black Past

Nov

2

1939

Augustus Nathaniel Lushington

Augustus Nathaniel Lushington became the first African American to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), earning the doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 1897; died on this day.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Feb

12

1939

Ernie Davis is born

Ernie Davis was a star running back at Syracuse University; first black player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961; drafted by the Washington Redskins and traded to Cleveland but died the following year of leukemia before playing a pro game.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Dec

14

1939

Tina Turner Born

Grammy-winning singer and actress Tina Turner was born on this day as Annie Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee. Turner will reach stardom with her husband Ike Turner. She will record such hits such as Whats Love Got to Do With It, Private Dancer, and Proud Mary. She will also have roles in the

Source: Blackfacts.com

Nov

26

1939

First President of the National Negro Bowling Asso

The National Negro Bowling Association was organized in Detroit, Michigan and Wynston Brown became its first president.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Aug

20

1939

Keith, Kenton Wesley (1939- ) - Birthday

Kenton Wesley Keith was born on November 12, 1939 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Jimmy and Gertrude Keith, a jazz musician and singer/civil servant, respectively.

Source: Black Past

Nov

12

1939

Ticket Dispensing Machine invented

Frederick Jones invents the ticket dispensing machine, patent #2163754.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Jun

27

1939

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