People, Locations, Episodes

Fort Pocahontas, a story

*On this date, in 1864, the construction of Fort Pocahontas began. This was an earthen fort on the north bank of the James River at Wilson’s Wharf in Charles City County, Virginia, which served as a Union supply depot during the American Civil War. The fort was constructed by Black soldiers of the United States Colored […]

The American Congress Legislates Equal Pay To Black Soldiers

*On this date in 1864, Congress passed the enrollment Act that authorized equal pay for Black soldiers.

The 12th Regiment, Heavy Artillery U.S. Colored Troops is Formed

*The 12th Regiment Heavy Artillery U.S. Colored Troops was formed on this date in 1864. It was one of 175 regiments of African American men during the American Civil War. Kentucky was the last state to accept Black men into their army during the war. In February 1864, 400 men wanted to enlist, and Col. Andrew […]

The Reconstruction Era in America, a story

On this date we remember Reconstruction, the historic period that began during and after the American Civil War.

The War Of The Triple Alliance Begins

*On this date in 1864, the War of the Triple Alliance began. Also known as the Paraguayan War, it was a South American war fought between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay. A conflict of race and class, it was the deadliest and bloodiest inter-state war in Latin America’s history. It […]

The 5th United States Colored Cavalry is Formed

*The 5th United States Colored Cavalry (5th USCC) was formed on this date in 1864. They were a regiment of the United States Colored Troops during the American Civil War. They were one of the more notable black fighting units. It was officially organized in Kentucky after its first two battles. Colonel James Brisbin commanded […]

Massacre at Ebenezer Creek, a story

*The Massacre at Ebenezer Creek on this date in 1864. During the American Civil War, hundreds of Black families who had just escaped slavery were left to drown by Union General Jeff. C. Davis. In November 1864, Union General William T. Sherman heard of atrocities at Camp Lawton, a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp near Millen, Georgia. […]

‘Forty Acres and a Mule’, a story

On this day in 1865, General William T. Sherman issued a special field order that would have provided each African American family 40 acres of land and an army mule to work the land.

In the midst of his “March to the Sea” during the Civil War, General Sherman and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton met with 20 black community leaders of Savannah, Georgia.

The First Black Attorney Practices Before the Supreme Court

*On this date in 1865, John Rock became the first African American attorney to practice before the Supreme Court.

Rock was formerly a dentist and justice of the peace in Boston.

The Freedman’s Bureau Is Formed

*This date celebrates the Freedmen’s Bureau. During the Reconstruction period, after the American Civil War (1865-72), the U.S. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands was established by Congress to provide practical aid to 4,000,000 newly freed Black Americans in their transition from slavery to freedom.

The Freedman’s Saving and Trust Company opens

*The Freedman’s Saving and Trust Company opened on this date in 1865. Known as the Freedman’s Savings Bank, it was a private savings bank chartered by the U.S. Congress to collect deposits from the newly emancipated communities. At the end of the American Civil War, the poor economic conditions of the formerly enslaved freedmen were […]

Virginia Union University is Founded

*On this date, in 1865, Virginia Union University (VUU) was founded.  This is a private, historically black university (HBCU) in Richmond, Virginia. It changed its name in 1899 after merging two older schools, Richmond Theological Institute and Wayland Seminary.  Both were founded after the end of the American Civil War by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. In 1932, Hartshorn Memorial College, a women’s college, merged with VUU.  The university […]

The First American Memorial Day is Commemorated

*On this date in 1865, former Black slaves started Memorial Day in America.

This occurred in Charleston, SC to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp. They dug up the bodies and worked for 2 weeks to give them a proper burial as gratitude for fighting for their freedom. Together with teachers and missionaries, Black residents of Charleston organized a May Day ceremony that year which was covered by the New York Tribune and other national papers.

Juneteenth National Freedom Day is Observed

This date marks the Juneteenth National Freedom Day. Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It is the name given to Emancipation Day (or Freedam Day)_by African Americans in in Galveston, Texas, in 1865, when Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in town and read General Order #3 to the people of Galveston.

Kendelton, Texas is Founded

*The founding of Kendleton, Texas, is celebrated on this date in 1865. Kendleton is a city in western Fort Bend County. It is one of many Black Towns (settlements) throughout America. History What is now Kendleton was a part of William E. Kendall’s plantation. In the 1860s, Kendall divided his property into various small farms and sold […]