Welcome to the WUVA News | 92.7 KISS FM Black History Month BLOG
Welcome to Kiss FM's Black History Month blog. Check back throughout the month of February for fun Black History facts and updates about Black History Month events on air and around Charlottesville!
February 1st
Today is the first day of Black History Month! This is the 84th celebration of Black History Month, which was originally established as "Negro History Week" in 1926.
February 2nd
Fun Facts in Black History for February 2nd: On this day in history, Feb. 2 1839, the spark plug was patented by inventor Edmund Berger. Also, on Feb. 2 1897, Alfred L. Cralle invented the ice cream scooper and patented the ice cream mold! February second is a day in Black History with inventions used in everyday life! All thanks to innovative African Americans!!
February 3rd
140 years ago today (Feb. 3, 1870) the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed. This amendment ensured that no person could be denied voting rights based on race, color, or previous slave status. This was the first step towards giving all African Americans voting rights and equal access. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 later eliminated all other barriers to voting, like qualification tests, ensuring all people a vote. So make sure that next time an election rolls around, you do your democratic duty and VOTE!
February 4th
Check out this FREE event right here in Charlottesville!
Our Voices, Our Images, Our Time: Paul Robeson Players as Black Playwrights Auditorium of the Harrison Institute/Small Special Collections Library, 7:00 p.m.
This event will celebrate blacks in theatrical and cinematic arts. The University of Virginia Paul Robeson Players will pay homage to blacks in the fine arts with hopes of uplifting a new generation of actors. Scenes from the following stage plays will be performed: Raisin in the Sun (1959) Lorraine Hansberry, River Niger (1972) Joseph A Walker, For Colored Girls Who Committed Suicide When the Rainbow was not Enough (1975) Ntozake Shange, Fences-Pulitzer Prize (1983)August Wilson. Through these selected dramatic pieces black history will be made and will continue to prosper at the University.
Sponsors: Office of African-American Affairs, University of Virginia Libraries, and Paul Robeson Players
Oh, and P.S. --- A fun fact for Feb. 4th in Black History: Rosa Parks was born today in 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama.
February 5th
On this day in Black History, Hank Aaron was born in 1934 in Mobile, Alabama. Hank Aaron is known as the "Homerun King," being considered one of the best baseball players of all time. He is also the last Negro League Baseball player to play in the Major Leagues, making his switch in 1954.
February 8th
So we all know Oprah...how can you not? Well, today in 1986 Oprah Winfrey was officially the first African American woman with a national talk show! I can't believe she is stepping down next year, but it has definitely been a great run. Congratulations Oprah, you will be missed!
Also---Thank goodness the snow is over...for now at least. Hopefully all of you are staying safe and warm and can find your driveways under all this snow!
February 9th
Check this Black History Month event out if you are able to get out and about today!
Black History Month: “Celebrating Black Power at UVa.”
7:00 p.m.
Newcomb Ballroom
The Black Student Alliance is hosting African-American Alumni to discuss challenges and the triumphs of Black students at the University of Virginia. This program aims to create dialogue about the contributions of Black students that have impacted the University.
Also, on this day in history, on Feb. 9th 1995, Bernard Harris, the first African American astronaut to make a space walk, took his historic steps.
Keep warm through another snowy day and keep checking back for Black History Month goodies!
February 10th
On this day in Black History, the United States House of Representatives passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It went on to the Senate and passed in June of 1964, and then President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law on July 2nd. This act prevents people from being denied access to local/state government facilites or public facilities based on their race or ethnicity. This was a major piece of Civil Rights legislation that advanced the cause of equality in the United States.
February 12th
On this day in African American history, on Feb. 12th 1956, the first Black late-night talk show host, Arsenio Hall, was born in Cleveland, OH. His talk show, The Arsenio Hall Show, ran from 1989-1994. The audience of his show, instead of the usual applause, would bark and pump their fists. This became a "cultural stamp of approval," and the gesture was featured in the films Pretty Woman and The Hard Way!
February 15th
Any Louis Armstrong fans out there??? Well today in 1964, Armstrong's famous "Hello Dolly!" song hit number one on the pop charts. This was his first and only number one hit, and he is the oldest person to have had a number one single...he was 63! Louis actually managed to beat out the Beetles who had long held the number one spot.
February 16th
Two Black History Month factoids coming right up!! On this day in history, on Feb 16th 1951, the New York City Council passed a bill that prohibited racial discrimination in city-assisted housing developments! Also, on this day in history, in 1970, Joe Frasier beat Jimmy Ellis and became the world heavyweight boxing champion!! Two very different events for Feb 16th, but both a part of the collective history of Black History Month. February 17th Happy birthday Michael Jordan! Today is the king of basketball's 47th birthday...he was born in 1963.
February 19th
In the spirit of Olympics time, today's Black History fact relates to the Winter Olympics. On this day in 2002, Vonetta Flowers of Birmingham, AL became the first African-American to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games. She and her bobsled partner won the 2-woman bobsled event! Not only was she the first African-American to win Winter gold...she was the first person of African descent (from any country) to win it. Her story is absolutely incredible.
February 22nd
So today I decided to take a day off from the typical day in history routine...I recently came across some interesting info about the our African American community here in Cville. African Americans in Charlottesville have made it a policy to have their voices heard. The Reflector, started in 1933, and the Charlottesville Albemarle Tribune, began in 1954, have been important local forums for African American news and issues. Randolph L. White, the Tribune’s founder, specifically intended to create a publication that did comment on the ills faced by African Americans in the community.
February 23rd
On this day in Black History, on Feb. 23, 1868, W.E.B. DuBois was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He was best known as an American Civil Rights Activist, and contributed many writings and contributed to many movements for Civil Rights. Way to go, DuBois!!
February 24th For all you scholars out there, today's Black History Month Fact will be especially interesting to you!! Rebecce Lee Crumpler was the first African American Woman to receive an M.D. degree from New England Female Medical College on Feb. 24th 1864. She then worked as a nurse in Massachusetts from 1852-1860. She is not only important to Black History, but to the History of Women as well!
February 26th
As were nearing the end of BHM, we are reminded that today in 1926 Carter G. Waddson began "Negro History Week"...which eventually led to the creation of Black History Month.
