Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Jesse Owens
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1998 to commemorate Jesse Owens, who won four Olympic gold medals in track and field. With a short biographical passage.
Utah State University
Teacher Link: Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights
Come and check out this lesson plan focused on the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. Learners will be able to identify the important events in the life of this famous African-American leader.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: w.e.b. Du Bois
A brief biography of famous African-American, W.E.B. Du Bois. Read about his activism and his attempts to improve race relations. Hyperlinks to additional information about this important man.
PBS
Pbs: Black Panthers 1968
A gallery of photos taken in 1968 of the famous African American group. There is also an essay by Kathleen Cleaver, who was active in the group then. She gives good primary source details. Click on "View Gallery" button, right side of...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Mae Jemison
This site takes a look at Mae Jemison, the first female African-American astronaut. Content includes a brief biography, a picture, and an excerpt from her book, "Find Where the Wind Goes: Moments from My Life."
A&E Television
Biography: Hank Aaron
This resource provides a biographical sketch of Hank Aaron. This African American baseball player is one of the greatest of all time.
Other
Dough Loudenback: The Black Dispatch: Roscoe Dunjee
Learn about the career of African American journalist Roscoe Dunjee, founder of the early 1900's newspaper The Black Dispatch.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Guion S. Bluford, Jr.
Brief biographical sketch of the life and career of the first African American launched into space.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Ruby Bridges
A biographical look at Ruby Bridges who became famous at six years of age by being the first Black child to attend a desegregated school in America.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Mathilde Anneke, 1817 1884
Mathilde Anneke was a remarkable woman. A feminist before the days of feminism, she worked tirelessly for the rights of women and of African Americans. She experienced firsthand the powerlessness of a nineteenth-century woman after her...
Digital History
Digital History: The Supreme Court Orders Desegregation [Pdf]
This site is from a unit called 'African-Americans in the Land of Equality.' It looks at the 1954 decision by the Supreme Court in the Brown v. Board of Education case that ended school segregation.
Digital History
Digital History: The Controversial Dred Scott Decision [Pdf]
The Dred Scott case was a test case on whether African-Americans, whether free or slave, had any rights. Find out what led up to this controverisal decision, and read the reasoning of the majority opinion as expressed by Chief Justice...
Digital History
Digital History: Affirmative Action and the Case of Allan Bakke [Pdf]
The history of affirmative action was interwoven with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Read about how the federal government under both President Kennedy and President Nixon attempted to open up jobs to...
Other
The Vel Phillips Foundation: Vel Phillips' March
The Vel Phillips Foundation is dedicated to the example of Vel Phillips, an African-American civil rights leader in Milwaukee. She championed the rights of women and minorities in her roles as a judge, a city councillor and later a...
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Stamped With Glory: Lewis Tappan and the Africans of the Amistad
Read about Lewis Tappan, "an abolitionist and devout Christian," and his participation with the Amistad trial. Providing detailed information and original documents, this is an excellent resource on Tappan and his efforts to expedite...
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Oj Trial Johnnie Cochran
Short article on attorney Johnnie Cochran (1937-2005), his part in the O. J. Simpson trial, and his defense of other high profile clients.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Bernard Shaw
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Bernard Shaw, an American television journalist and the first chief anchor for the Cable News Network (CNN). Shaw's childhood heroes included newsman Edward R. Murrow, whose television...
PBS
Classics for Kids: Scott Joplin
A short biography of Scott Joplin (1868-1917 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: August Wilson
Learn more about the famous playwright August Wilson when you visit this educational site. This site features links to several resources ranging from biographical information to lesson plans.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Reading Guide: David Walker, From "Appeal"
Brief biographical information about David Walker and a link to the complete text of his famous writing, "Appeal," written in 1830.
New York Times
New York Times: Helene Johnson, Poet of Harlem, 89, Dies
[Free Registration/Login Required] An obituary for Helene Johnson, a famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Includes quotations from some of her poems.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Benjamin Banneker
View the artwork of Jerry Pickney honoring Benjamin Banneker on a stamp. Banneker predicted a solar eclipse, published farmers almanacs, and was famous for many more things.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Black Emancipators of the 19th Century
A lesson unit on the people and movements that fought to abolish slavery. Looks at the Triangular Trade, and at the Underground Railroad and famous abolitionists. Includes a play about emancipation, a black history rap and a trivia quiz...
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Face to Face: Rosa Parks
This site shares an sculpture of Rosa Parks in her famous stand in Montgomery in a work by Marshall Lumbaugh.