LIST: The 10 Uncommonly Known Fun Facts About Black History!!

Black history month is celebrated every February, however, the same stories are usually rehashed over and over again. At some point, we all begin to tune out any updates or news because it all seems so repetitive (like history in general). In honor of both black history and education, here are some less common fun facts:

1. Claudette Colvin preceded Rosa Parks as a bus boycotter

On March 2nd, 1955 Claudette Colvin, fifteen at the time, had been learning about civil rights heroes such as Harriet Tubman. This got her thinking about Jim Crow laws and what it meant to be equal and free in America. Because she dared to take her lessons outside the classroom, Claudette refused to give up her seat nine months prior to Rosa Parks’ launching of the Montgomery boycott.

2. King improvised history’s most remembered part of his “I Have a Dream Speech”

When Dr. King had marched on Washington he had quite a speech prepared. However, as the big moment drew nearer he was convinced by singer Mahalia Jackson to tell the gathered crowd about his dream. Once Dr. King began to preach, sermon-like, about his dreams he continued to improvise and delivered what became known as one of the most iconic speeches in American history.

3. Inoculation Introduced by Slave

Inoculation, an early form of vaccination, was controversial in Western Europe for a long time. In Africa, however, the practice had been used to pre-treat people to avoid contracting the more dangerous disease later on. It involved taking infected material and scratching it onto an uninfected person in order to help them contract a weaker form of the disease and build immunity. Onesimus, gifted as a slave to a church minister, told his master of the practice and became the introductory American for inoculation.

4. Quakers first protested slavery in 1688

Slavery wasn’t cherished by everyone in America. Although it would take centuries for the idea that slavery was immoral to take hold, even in the north where it wasn’t an economic asset, the Quakers of Pennsylvania were one of the first groups to denounce the injustice committed against African slaves.

5. Majority of Africans died in-transit

The vast majority of slaves died during the voyage from Africa to America. It is estimated that 12.5 million Africans were shipped but that only 388,000 Africans actually arrived in America. Still a large amount, it is astonishing to think just how dreadful the conditions were and how many died during the trip. Strange to think there might have been worse conditions than arriving in America a slave.

6. Shared History

One would never think that Jewish people and African Americans could find common ground or get along – after all, at least Jews were white, right? Wrong. In fact, anti-Semitism was so strong at one point – coupled with a weak economy and xenophobia – that quite a few people of Jewish descent found themselves employed at HCBUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Often overlooked, it is a prime example of the compassion for other disadvantaged groups that the African American community has had throughout its history upon emancipation.

7. Wild West

After the Civil War, especially in the South, the country was devastated. More Americans died than ever before, or since, a portion of the country was under military occupation, and there was turmoil in all levels of government. Being a freed slave was already tough enough but add to it the combined resentment of racists in both the north and south and there seemed to be no place for Freeman. In fact, the West provided just as much opportunity for freed slaves as it did other destitute groups in America and, as such, a quarter of all cowboys were black.

8. Whitewashed Fame

The real Betty Boop was actually modeled after jazz singer Baby Esther. Another example of whitewashing, Betty Boop was almost not credited at all to Esther when Helen Kane, another jazz singer, attempted to sue cartoonist Max Fleischer (creator of Betty Boop) for taking her style. When evidence surfaced that Esther predated Kane’s style the lawsuit was dropped, however, Esther has never properly been given credit.

9. First African American pilot was Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman, upon moving to Chicago, was enamored with the returning soldiers’ tales of flying in WWI. As such, she went to France with her sights set on obtaining her pilot license. Although its a shame that she had to go to France to do so, she did achieve her dream and returned to America as our first licensed African American pilot.

10. Interracial Marriage was Illegal for 303 years in the US

Interracial marriage used to be considered a sin, crime against nature, and eventually simply ‘wrong’. Even though many people know it was at one point illegal most people are unaware that it was first outlawed in 1664 and not struck down until 1967 – 303 years! This should help explain America’s long-standing racial prejudice.

Now that you’re equipped with some eccentric facts about black history don’t be afraid to share them with your family and friends!