African-Americans in the Twentieth Century

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AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

*1930*
	The first large-scale analog computer was completely assembled.
	Billie Holiday (1915-1959) started her singing career in Pod's and Jerry's Speakeasy.
	Josh Gibson (1911-1947), nicknamed the "Black Babe Ruth," at age nineteen established himself as one of history's best all-around baseball players in a career which lasted for fifteen years. His first position was as a catcher for the Pittsburgh Homestead Grays on July 25, 1930. In 1972, he was posthumously voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

*1931*
	The Scottsboro Boy's Trial, involving nine black men, entered the courts on April 6, 1931 and - due to false evidence and a lack of due process that tested the U.S. courts up to the Supreme Court - finally ended with their convictions being overturned in 1937. It was the first time the issue of a defendent's right to an attorney was brought before the Supreme Court.
	The Nation of Islam was established by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975) in Detroit, Michigan.
	Dr. E. Franklin Frazier (1894-1962), renowned sociologist, published his book, The Free Negro Family. He taught at Howard University for twenty-five years. His Black Bourgeoisie, published in 1957, became required reading for many university students.
	Ida B. Wells Barnett (1864-1981), journalist and crusader in the fight against lynching in America, died on March 25, 1931.
	The George Washington Bridge was completed in 1931.
	The Empire State Building in Manhattan was officially opened in 1931.
	Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington produced his smooth and popular tune, "Mood Indigo."

*1932*
	President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) was elected into office on a platform which included "The New Deal" after the Great Depression.
	The Journal of Negro Education came off the press at Howard University.
	Charles Lindbergh's son was kidnapped and found murdered on March 1, 1932.
	The New York Rens, the all-black professional basketball team, beat the Boston Celtics to win the World Basketball Championship on March 30, 1932.

*1933*
	Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) was invited to be one of the advisors in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Black Cabinet."
	Etta Moten became the first African-American stage and screen star to sing and perform at the White House. President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt invited Ms. Moten on January 31, 1933.
	The Twenty-First Amendment was added to the Constitution so that Prohibition could be repealed.
	The Miseducation of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. Woodson was first published in 1933.
	Adolf Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933.

*1934*
	Arthur W. Mitchell (1883-1968) became the first African-American Democrat elected to Congress. He defeated Oscar DePriest, the Republican from Illinois.
	Dorothy West (1907-1998) became the editor of the magazine, Challenge.
	Zora Neale Hurston (1903-1960) published her book, Jonah's Gourd Vine.
	Roy Wilkins (1901-1981) became the editor of the NAACP's Crisis magazine.
	The famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York had its first live stage show.
	One of the big "tear jerkers" of the year was Hollywood's Imitation of Life with Louise Beavers and Claudette Colbert.

*1935*
	The National Council of Negro Women was established by Mary McLeod Bethune (1975-1955).
	Dr. Percy Julian (1899-1975), research chemist, developed a drug called physostigmine, used in the treatment of glaucoma.
	Marian Anderson (1902-1993) was called "one of the great singers of our times" after her Town Hall performance in New York, according to a New York Times paper of 1935.
	Joe Louis (1914-1981) came to the limelight when he knocked out Primo Carncra at Yankee Stadium in New York.
	The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This federal works project assisted many unemployed workers and especially the African-American worker.
	Thurgood Marshall (1909-1993) came to fame when he won the admittance of Donald Gaines Murray to the University of Maryland Law School when the case reached the United States Supreme Court.

*1936*
	On June 24, 1936, Mary McLeod Bethune became the first African-American woman to receive a federal appointment. She became the Director of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration.
	William Grant Still (1895-1978) was the guest conductor of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl. He became the first African-American given the honor to conduct a major symphonic orchestra.
	Jesse Owens won four gold medals in track and field events at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

*1937*
	William H. Hastie (1904-1976) became the first African-American appointed a United States Federal Judge. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him to the district court in the Virgin Islands.
	Zora Neale Hurston (1903-1960) published her novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God.
	Joe Louis (1914-1981) became the Heavyweight Champion of the World when he defeated Jim J. Braddock on June 22, 1937.
	The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters became a full-fledged union under the leadership of Asa Philip Randolp (1859-1937) on October 1, 1937.
	Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), the "Dean" of American black artists, died in Paris, France on May 25, 1937.

*1938*
	Jack and Jill of America was founded in Philadelphia by Marion Turner Stubbs with a commitment to help develop educational, cultural, civic, and social programs for the betterment of African-American youth.
	Crystal Bird Fauset (1893-1965) became the first African-American woman elected to a state legislature. She became a representative in the state of Pennsylvania.
	Attorney Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993) was appointed by the NAACP to Special Counsel for Legal Cases.
	Benny Goodman withstood outside criticism and invited two talented African-Americans to play with his band: Teddy Wilson (1912-1986) on piano and Lionel Hampton (1909-) on vibes.
	Joe Louis (1914-1981) knocked out the German fighter, Max Schmeling, to retain his heavyweight championship.

*1939*
	Jane Bolin (1908- ) was named the first African-American woman judge. She was appointed to the Domestic Relations Court in New York City.
	In an effort to fight widespread discrimination, the NAACP established the Legal Defense and Educational Fund with attorney Thurgood Marshall at the helm.
	Lena Horne (1917- ) made her first movie, The Duke Is Tops, in 1939.
	Hattie McDaniel (1898-1952) made history in the movie industry. She became the first African-American to win an Oscar (as best supporting actress) for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. The award was made the following year, 1940.
	Marian Anderson (1902-1993) was denied the privilege of singing at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC on February 27, 1939. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) had a "white artists only" policy up until the year of 1952, but Ms. Anderson did sing there in 1943. Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady, resigned her membership when Marian Anderson was not allowed to sing at the hall.

*African-Americans in the Twentieth Century*
*1900s*	*1910s*	*1920s*	*1930s*	*1940s*
*1950s*	*1960s*	*1970s*	*1980s*	*1990s*

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