Little-known Black History facts for trivia and fun quizzes while celebrating Black History Month at work.
Black History Month is a time to honor the rich culture, remarkable achievements, and significant contributions of the Black community to our shared history. Starting on February 1st and continuing through the month, it serves as an opportunity to reflect on their enduring impact while recognizing the challenges they’ve faced and continue to overcome.
Here are 10 facts about Black History Month for quizzes, trivia, and other educational Black History Month activities to celebrate with your teams.
10 interesting Black History facts for February: Trailblazers
1. First African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Thurgood Marshall, born in Baltimore, Maryland, was the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice in 1967. His tenure came to an end in 1991.
2. First African-American Major League Baseball Player
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league sports when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He went on to win the Rookie of the Year award in his debutant year.
3. First African-American Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Ralph Bunche won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for mediating in Palestine. Some of his other notable achievements include:
- Negotiating the cease-fire between Israel and the Arabs in 1948
- Winning the Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian honor in the United States.
- Contributing to the division of Palestine between Arabs and Jews
4. First African-American Oscar Winner
Hattie McDaniel, a singer, songwriter, and comedian, was awarded the Best Supporting Actress in 1940 for her role in the movie "Gone with the Wind."
5. First African-American Woman to Earn a Medical Degree
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler graduated from the New England Female Medical College (NEFMC) in 1864 to become the first African-American woman to earn a medical degree.
6. First African-American Astronaut to Live on the ISS for an Extended Mission
Commander Victor Glover made history with his long-duration stay. He was also the pilot of the Artemis II mission, which, after Apolo, was the first crewed space mission to the moon.
7. First African-American U.S. Senator
Hiram Revels was elected to the United States Senate on February 25th, 1870, by a vote of 81 to 15, representing Mississippi.
8. First African-American Woman to Win a Pulitzer Prize
Gwendolyn Brooks was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her poetry collection called Annie Allen. She was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award and became the Poet Laureate of Illinois in 1968.
9. First African-American U.S. Secretary of State
Colin Powell served from 2001 to 2005.
10. First African-American Women Elected to the U.S. Congress
Shirley Chisholm was elected in 1968, representing New York.
Black History Calendar Facts for Trivia
Discover 15 Black History calendar facts to learn about important historical moments, their relevance, and their contribution to building the contemporary world.
January
- January 1, 1863: The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in January 1, 1863, by Abraham Lincoln. It was a military decree that declared freedom for slaves in Confederate states.
- January 15, 1929: Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Rev. Dr. King became a legend in the Civil Rights movement and was pivotal in bringing about the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965).
- January 25, 1945: The first Black Marine unit, the Montford Point Marines, saw action during World War II. This was a historic breakthrough in the fight against the longstanding racial exclusion within the US military.
February
- February 1, 1960: The Greensboro sit-ins represented a significant shift in the fight against racial segregation, with students taking the lead in nonviolent demonstrations instead of adults.
Their actions gained nationwide sympathy and support, which ushered Woolworth’s to change its racial segregation policies. This movement also set a precedent for similar changes in nationwide establishments.
- February 3, 1870: The 15th Amendment was enacted, granting African-American men the right to vote. In line with the 13th and 14th Amendments, the 15th Amendment was another pillar in the century-long struggle for Black communities to participate unshackled in American civic life.
- February 12, 1909: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded in February 13, 1909. It is a civil rights organization that was first established with the goal of providing justice for African Americans and helping them advance in life.
March
- March 2, 1955: Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old, refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, preceding Rosa Parks’ protest.
- March 7, 1965: "Bloody Sunday" refers to the 54-mile-long Selma-to-Montgomery march, which highlighted the struggle for African American voting rights. It was named "Bloody Sunday" because the march was met with violent resistance from Alabama law enforcement. The entire ordeal was broadcast on television, drawing national attention.
April
- April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.
- April 15, 1947: Jackie Robinson, a remarkable athlete and civil rights leader, broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball by playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was the first Black player to have played in MLB.
May
- May 17, 1954: The Supreme Court had a unanimous (9-0) ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. It claimed that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, and it violated the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment.
June
- June 19, 1865: Juneteenth marks the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
August
- On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech en route to the historic march on Washington. In this powerful address, he envisioned a world free from racial discrimination—one where equality prevailed and individuals were judged by their character, not the color of their skin. His words painted a compelling picture of a just society offering equal opportunities for all.
October
- October 16, 1995: The Million Man March took place in Washington, D.C., advocating for African-American unity and family values.
Little-known Black History Facts for Educating Teams
Explore these fascinating Black History facts to educate and engage your teams. Highlighting lesser-known milestones and contributions, these are perfect for trivia and quizzes that inspire learning while celebrating Black achievements.
1. Esther Jones and the Inspiration for Betty Boop
The famous cartoon character Betty Boop drew inspiration from Esther Jones, a Black jazz singer celebrated for her unique "baby-style" vocals that captivated Harlem audiences in the 1920s.
2. Garrett Morgan’s Traffic Signal Innovation
Garrett Morgan, an African-American inventor, introduced the three-position traffic signal in 1923. This groundbreaking design remains the foundation of modern traffic management.
3. Black Cowboys in the American West
In the Wild West, around 25% of cowboys were Black. Despite their significant role, they were often overlooked in popular culture, including Western movies and novels.
4. The Legacy of Black Wall Street
The Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, also called "Black Wall Street," was a thriving hub for Black businesses in the early 1900s. Unfortunately, it was destroyed during the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921.
5. Hattie McDaniel’s Historic Oscar Win
In 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to win an Academy Award for her performance in Gone with the Wind. Despite her groundbreaking achievement, she faced segregation during the ceremony.
6. Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler’s Medical Milestone
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first African-American woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S. in 1864. Her work focused on providing care to underserved communities.
7. The Green Book: A Travel Guide for Safety
Victor Hugo Green, a Black postal worker, created The Negro Motorist Green Book in 1936. This guidebook helped Black travelers find safe accommodations, restaurants, and services during the era of segregation.
8. African Grove Theatre: A Pioneering Platform
Established in 1821 in New York City, the African Grove Theatre was the first known African-American theater company showcasing Black talent in acting and playwriting.
9. Dorie Miller’s Valor at Pearl Harbor
During the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II, Navy cook Dorie Miller took control of an unmanned machine gun, shooting down enemy planes despite having no formal weapons training.
10. Matthew Henson’s Arctic Achievement
Matthew Henson, a Black explorer, played an instrumental role in the 1909 expedition to the North Pole. However, his accomplishments were often overshadowed by his fellow explorers.
11. Mound Bayou: A Self-Sufficient Black Community
Established in 1887 by former slaves, Mound Bayou in Mississippi flourished as a self-reliant Black town and symbolized economic empowerment.
12. Bessie Coleman: A Trailblazing Aviator
Bessie Coleman was the first African-American woman to earn a pilot’s license in the year 1921. She overcame racial barriers by training in France when opportunities were denied in the U.S.
13. Black Nurses’ Role in the Civil War
More than 200 Black women, including Harriet Tubman, served as nurses, cooks, and spies during the Civil War, significantly contributing to the Union’s success.
14. Claudette Colvin’s Courageous Stand
Months before Rosa Parks, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to surrender her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, sparking early momentum in the civil rights movement.
15. The Buffalo Soldiers’ Enduring Legacy
The Buffalo Soldiers, formed in 1866, were African-American regiments in the U.S. Army as part of the post-Civil War reorganization. They played a vital role in westward expansion and often worked under perilous circumstances with minimal resources. They were given the name Buffalo Soldiers by the Native American Tribes, probably in recognition of their tenacity, courage, and strength.
We hope these fun facts on Black History Month help you engage and educate your teams about this month long celebration. Before you go, check out some impactful Black History Month activities for you to volunteer with your team this February.
