March 6, 1997 Michael Norman Manley, two-time Prime Minister of Jamaica, died. Manley was born December 10, 1924 in St. Andrew, Jamaica. He served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and graduated from the London School of Economics in 1949. In 1967, he won election to the Jamaican House of Representatives […]
Tag Archives | World War II
March 1st in African American History – Harold George “Harry” Belafonte, Jr.
March 1, 1927 Harold George “Harry” Belafonte, Jr., musician, actor and social activist, was born in New York City. Belafonte served in the United States Navy during World War II and after his discharge began his music career singing in clubs to pay for acting classes.
February 18th in African American History – Dedan Kimathi Waciuri
February 18, 1957 Dedan Kimathi Waciuri, Kenyan freedom fighter, was executed. Kimathi was born October 31, 1920 in the Nyeri District of Kenya. In 1941, he enlisted in the army to fight on the side of the British during World War II however he was expelled in 1944 for misconduct. In 1946, he became a […]
February 15th in African American History – Charles Leroy Thomas
February 15, 1980 Charles Leroy Thomas, Medal of Honor recipient, died. Thomas was born April 17, 1920 in Alabama. Before World War II, he worked at Ford Motor Company and was a student at Wayne State University. On December 14, 1944 Second Lieutenant Thomas led a task force in the capture of Climbach, France. Thomas’ […]
February 11th in African American History – Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr.
February 11, 1920 Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr., the first African American to achieve the rank of General, was born in Pensacola, Florida. James earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Tuskegee Institute in 1942. During World War II, he trained pilots but during the Korean War he flew 101 combat missions. In 1957, James graduated […]
November 13th in African American History – Leonard Roy Harmon
November 13, 1942 Leonard Roy Harmon, the first African American to have a Navy ship named in his honor, died. Harmon was born January 21, 1917 in Cuero, Texas. He enlisted in the Navy in June, 1939 and in October of that year was assigned to the USS San Francisco. By 1942, Harmon had advanced […]
October 26th in African American History – Hattie McDaniel
October 26, 1952 Hattie McDaniel, the first Black performer to win an Academy Award, died. McDaniel was born June 10, 1895 in Wichita, Kansas. She was a professional singer/songwriter, comedienne, stage and movie actress, and radio performer. Over the course of her career she appeared in more than 300 films, often portraying a maid. In […]