Rediscovering Black History Top 5 Posts of 2021

by ncurrie, posted in American Civil War, Black Women, Blacks in Government, Civil Rights Protest & Issues, Civil Unrest

These were the most viewed posts of 2021! Thanks so much for reading Rediscovering Black History, we look forward to bringing you more stories from the National Archives relating to Black history in 2022!

#6 Before Kamala – Black Women in Presidential Administrations

Black women who have served in Presidential administrations.

Marking the occasion of Kamala Harris becoming the first woman and woman of color Vice President, Billy R. Glasco, Jr. from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum recounts the many Black women who have served in presidential administrations over the past 90 years.

#5/4 “The Responsibility is Placed in your Hands Entirely” – Red Cross Relief after the Tulsa Race Massacre & “Everything was Burned to the Ground:” The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

  • article detailing alleged attack on Page & plan for a trial for Rowland that afternoon
    “Nab Negro for Attacking Girl In an Elevator” clipping from the Tulsa Tribune, May 31, 1921 (NAID 157670060, page 45)
  • view of a street w/burned out/destroyed buildings
    “Ruins, June 1921”. Photograph of the aftermath of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. (NAID 157670060, image 177)

To commemorate 100 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre, Netisha Currie and Bob Nowatzki wrote two blogs about the events of the day and the response and efforts of the Red Cross to aid the victims and survivors.

#3 The First Time Jackie Robinson Broke Baseball’s Color Barrier

view of ballpark ca. 1938 w/marked segregated areas
Aerial of City Island ca. 1938 noting the press box and segregated viewing areas

Bob Nowatzki, from the National Archives in College Park, Maryland also wrote a post to mark the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in the minor leagues – one year before his more celebrated debut in Major League Baseball.

#2 Juneteenth: The Celebration of a New Freedom in America

see quoted text
General Order 3, June 19, 1865 (NAID 182778372)

Last year, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Billy R. Glasco, Jr. wrote a post detailing history of General Order 3, and early Juneteenth celebrations in Texas.

#1 The People v. Jim Crow: Federal Cases that Inspired the Freedom Rides of 1961

headline in bold red letters with portrait of Irene Morgan
Washington Afro American, July 14, 1944 “JC Bus Travel Outlawed”

In the year of the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Freedom Rides, Billy R. Glasco, Jr. writes about the court cases that also fought to contest Jim Crow.

More most viewed blog posts in 2021:

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