African American Trivia

In this edition of our newsletter, we're honoring Juneteenth a bit early by delving into some interesting facts about African American history. You may wonder: what exactly is Juneteenth? It marks the anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States.

While the Emancipation Proclamation was officially issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, the celebration falls on June 19. This is because, during the Civil War, the Confederate states didn’t recognize the Union’s authority, thus ignoring the proclamation. The enforcement of the law required the conclusion of the war, and information did not travel as quickly as it does today.

To provide some context, the Confederacy did not capitulate until more than two years after the issuance of the Proclamation, specifically on April 9, 1865. It became the duty of Union soldiers and federal officials to abolish slavery. Union troops faced delays in reaching certain regions, particularly in the far west of the Confederacy, due to its relative isolation and lesser involvement in the conflict. It was on June 19, 1865, that the last group of enslaved individuals were informed of their freedom on Galveston Island, not far from Houston. Union Major General Gordon Granger notified local authorities and the nearby black church that the emancipation had occurred and that state laws permitting slavery were now invalid as federal law took precedence. Hence, we recognize June 19 as the day the final slaves were liberated.

With that in mind, let's dive into some trivia celebrating African American freedom.

Questions

1. Which individual made headlines by refusing to sit in the 'colored' section of a bus, what year did this incident occur, and in which city did it take place?
2. In the Democratic primaries of 1984 and 1988, which black presidential candidate garnered millions of votes?
3. Who famously remarked, 'The only thing I like integrated is my coffee'?
4. What song is often regarded as the unofficial 'Negro National Anthem'?
5. DNA analyses have indicated that Thomas Jefferson had at least four children with which of his slaves?
6. What event celebrating African American culture was established in 1966?
7. Who became the first African American appointed as a Supreme Court Justice?
8. Which African American performer was the pioneering figure to host a television show?
9. Who is recognized as the first African American recipient of an Academy Award?
10. Which inventor is credited with creating over 500 products derived from peanuts and sweet potatoes?
11. What was the title of the travel guide that highlighted businesses welcoming to black travelers?
12. Which state was the pioneer in outlawing slavery?

Answers

1. Rosa Parks made her stand on December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama.

   

2. Jesse Jackson

   

3. Malcolm X

   

4. Lift Every Voice and Sing. For more information, please refer to the video if you’re not familiar with it.
5. Sally Hemings
6. Kwanzaa
7. Thurgood Marshall, appointed by Lyndon Johnson in 1967.
8. Nat King Cole, who was the host of the Nat King Cole show.

   

9. Hattie McDaniel, awarded for her role in Gone with the Wind in 1939.

   

10. George Washington Carver (c. 1864-1943)
11. The Negro Motorist Green Book
12. Vermont

Sources:

• Oprahdaily
• Wikipedia

Written by: Michael Shackleford