Black Heritage

1995 32¢ Black Heritage: Bessie Coleman
January 26, 1892

Birth of Bessie Coleman

Aviator Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman was born on January 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas.  The first female African American aviator, she achieved her dream of becoming a pilot during a time when most African Americans would not have even considered learning to fly.

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1979 15¢ Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15, 1929

Happy Birthday Martin Luther King Jr.

Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. A Baptist minister, King sought equality for all Americans and fought for peaceful solutions to racial issues.

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2006 39¢ Baseball Sluggers: Roy Campanella
November 19, 1921

Birth of Roy Campanella

Roy “Campy” Campanella was born on November 19, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Considered one of the greatest catchers in baseball history, he was the first catcher to break organized baseball’s color line when he debuted in the Majors in 1948.

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2005 37¢ To Form a More Perfect Union: Montgomery Bus Boycott
November 13, 1956

Supreme Court Rules Bus Segregation Illegal

The Civil Rights Movement took a major step forward on November 13, 1956, when the Supreme Court ruled that the bus segregation in Montgomery, Alabama, was unconstitutional.

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1998 32¢ Gospel Singers: Mahalia Jackson
October 26, 1911

Birth of Mahalia Jackson

Mahalia (born Mahala) Jackson was born on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The best-known gospel singer in the world and one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century, she received more acclaim than any other gospel singer, and is said to have been the vocal, physical, and spiritual symbol of religious music.

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1997 32¢ Benjamin Oliver Davis, Sr. Black Heritage Series
October 25, 1940

Benjamin Davis Becomes First African American General In The U.S. Army

On October 25, 1940, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was appointed the first African American general in US Army. He was a driving force behind the desegregation of the Army, which was finally achieved just days after his retirement.

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2020 55¢ Gwen Ifill – Black Heritage Series
September 29, 1955

Birth of Gwen Ifill

Gwendolyn L. Ifill was born on September 29, 1955, in Jamaica, Queens. The first African American woman to host a national political show and moderate a vice presidential debate, she was widely known and respected for her integrity and ability to remain unbiased.

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2009 61¢ Richard Wright
September 4, 1908

Birth of Richard Wright

Richard Nathaniel Wright was born on September 4, 1908, near Roxie, Mississippi. His book, Native Son, was the first best selling novel by a black writer.

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1987 22¢ Black Heritage: Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable
August 28, 1818

Death of Jean Baptiste Point du Sable

Jean Baptiste Point du Sable died on August 28, 1818, in St. Charles, Missouri Territory. He’s credited as the founded of Chicago.

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