1918
First African American in California Assembly
Frederick Madison Roberts, an alleged descendant of President Thomas Jefferson and slave Sally Hemmings, becomes the first African American to be elected to the California State Legislature. He serves until 1934.
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January 15, 1918
Rachel Noel Born
Educator Rachel Noel is born on this date in Hampton, Virginia.
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January 19, 1918
John H. Johnson Born
Publisher John H. Johnson is born.
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February 17, 1918
Charles Hayes Born
Labor activist and Congressman Charles Hayes is born in Cairo, Illinois.
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March 29, 1918
Pearl M. Bailey Born
Actress, singer, and entertainer Pearl M. Bailey was born on this date in Newport News, Virginia. Bailey performed in films like Isn't It Romantic?, Porgy and Bess, and Carmen Jones.
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April 14, 1918
Earl Strayhorn Born
Lawyer and Judge Earl Strayhorn is born in Columbus, Mississippi.
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April 25, 1918
Ella Fitzgerald Born
Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald was born on this date in Newport News, Virginia. She won 13 Grammy Awards in her career and sold over 40 million albums. Some of her hits include A-Tisket, A-Tasket and Undecided.
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June 12, 1918
Rev. Jerry Moore Born
Retired Minister & Civic Leader Rev. Jerry Moore is born.
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June 18, 1918
Rev. Gardner Taylor Born
Minister and civil rights activist Rev. Gardner Taylor is born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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July 18, 1918
Nelson Mandela Born
Nelson Mandela was born on this date. After serving 27 years for fighting discriminatory legislation in South Africa, Mandela went on to win the country's presidency. He was also honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
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July 29, 1918
Lynchings Become More Widespread
In 1918, eighty-three lynchings are recorded. In response to the increase of racially motivated murders, the National Liberty Congress of Colored Americans asks the U.S. Congress to make lynching a federal crime.
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August 27, 1918
Simeon Booker Born
Journalist Simeon Booker is born.
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September 03, 1918
Honorable John Rogers, Sr. Born
Judge John Rogers, Sr. is born in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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September 09, 1918
Colonel Stone Johnson Born
Retired Rail Road Worker & Civil Rights Activist Colonel Stone Johnson is born.
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October 16, 1918
Susan Cayton Woodson Born
Collector of Chicago Renaissance art, Susan Cayton Woodson is born in Seattle, Washington.
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October 17, 1918
Jefferson Eugene Grigsby Born
Artist & Art Educator Jefferson Eugene Grigsby is born.
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November 07, 1918
Maycie Herrington Born
Historical conservator Maycie Herrington is born in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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November 10, 1918
First World War Ends
The first World War ended on this date when German leaders signed an armistice. Around 400,000 Black soldiers served for the United States during the war. However, many Black soldiers worked as laborers and did not see combat.
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December 15, 1918
Reverend Jamye Coleman Williams Born
Professor and A.M.E. Church leader Reverend Jamye Coleman Williams is born in Louisville, Kentucky.
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December 31, 1918
Yosef ben-Jochannan Born
College educator Yosef ben-Jochannan is born on this date in Ethiopia.
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