Black history is continuously shaped by numerous events happening over time. Over the years, there have been significant moments that have changed the lives of black people. October 19th is one such day. Several events occurred that contributed to the development of black history. What happened on October 19th?
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
Black history has a lot of influential figures with exciting biographies. Read about their stories by buying these books on Amazon.
People Also Read: Slave Traders and Destruction of African Communities: 5 Reasons for Slavery
October 19, 1944
African-American women weren’t allowed to serve in the United States Navy after the end of World War I due to racial segregation. At that time, they served in non-combat roles like nurses, but after the war ended, the authorities imposed a blanket ban that thwarted their ambitions to serve their country.
However, pressure groups, including the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) fought for the inclusion of women. Former U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt pushed back on the idea until he realized he would lose the black vote if he resisted calls to reintegrate African-American people into the army.
As a result, he reopened the navy to African-American women on October 19, 1944. They nominated Frances Eliza Wills and Harriet Ida Pickens to become the first African-American women. Despite these accommodations, black women were underrepresented.
Join our Spotcovery Global Black Community Facebook Group for early access to exclusive content and to share in a lively discussion.
October 19, 1870
The House of Representatives got its first African-American representative – Joseph Haney. Rainey, Robert B. Elliot, and Robert Carlos Delarge.
Joseph Rainey was the first African-American to receive this honor. He represented South Carolina and became the first African-American speaker in the House and longest-serving representative.
Robert Elliot also represented South Carolina. During his time in office, she focused his efforts on fighting for civil rights.
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
Robert Carlos was a representative of South Carolina state. He was of the opinion that white and black Southerners should be protected from terrorism.
Buy anything from African-American culture you like on Amazon.
People Also Read: Must-Read Black Biographies in the World
October 19, 1960
Martin Luther King Jr, together with 51 protesters, were arrested in Atlanta, Georgia after they refused to leave a store. They did this to protest the segregation laws enforced in the South during the Jim Crow era.
Black people were forbidden from being served at department lunch stores and had separate facilities from white people. To force the removal of such laws, Martin Luther and the 51 did a sit-in in 1960.
They were arrested under a law that made refusing to leave private property illegal. 16 protesters were released, but Martin Luther was charged and sentenced to six months.
John F. Kennedy, a presidential candidate at the time, helped Martin Luther secure his freedom. This won him the black votes, which saw him win the presidency in the next election.
If you’re scratching your head, asking, what happened on October 19th? Well, these are some of the events that have shaped black history.
Learn more about black history by buying these books on Amazon.
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
Nearly 80% of consumers visit directories with reviews to find a local business. List your business for free in our exclusive Spotcovery Black-Owned Business Directory.
Spotcovery offers unique and fresh daily content on Black culture, lifestyle, and experiences. We talk about everything black, black people, black-owned and black-owned businesses. We also deliver authentic and relevant content that will inform, inspire, and empower you! The future of black media is critical to today’s black experience! Our primary audience includes African Americans, Africans, Afro-Caribbean, and people of African heritage. Black culture is for the culture!
