HISTORY® features Black History Month

HISTORY® features Black History Month programming and online content HISTORY Classroom and History.com feature study guides, video clips, and other resources for Black History Month lesson plans, projects, and activities. First To Fight: Black Tankers of World War II, Monday, February 3, at 6am/5c The 761st Tank Battalion made history during World War II as the first African American tank unit to see combat. Over the course of 183 straight days on the front during World War II, their unit helped liberate more than 30 towns under Nazi control. This is their incredible story, with first-person interviews with members of the 761st. Honor Deferred, Thursday, February 6 at 8am/7c More than 1 million African Americans served in WWII, fighting valiantly on the front lines and throughout the ranks. Yet despite their bravery and courage both on the battlefield and off, not one of the 432 Medals of Honor awarded during World War II went to a black soldier. Fifty years after the war, the US Army investigated why none of these Medals had been awarded to African Americans. Honor Deferred explores this investigation and the stories of the seven men whose acts of heroism were finally recognized in 1997. A Distant Shore: African Americans of D-Day, Thursday, February 6 at 9am/8c Nearly 2,000 African Americans were among the troops who stormed the beaches of Normandy during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. Many of their stories have been neglected in the dominant histories of D-Day, yet their contribution is unquestionable. In this moving 1-hour documentary, seven African American men who fought through D-Day share their gripping stories. This program describes the ways African American soldiers put their lives on the line abroad even as they struggled for equal rights at home upon their return.  Double Victory, 2 Parts, Monday, February 10 and Monday, February 17, at6am/5c This special documentary tells the story of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen of World War II, the first African American aerial unit. These brave pilots fought against fascism overseas while paving the way for the Civil Rights Movement on the home front. Check out Black History Month resources. Read more about African Americans during WWII. View the Double Victory classroom guide.

Special BIO.com Content: American Freedom Stories Alabama Civil Rights Video Series Many of the pivotal moments of the modern Civil Rights movement in America took place in Alabama. In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott that ended segregation on public transportation. In Birmingham, the Civil Rights struggle shocked the world when children were violently arrested during the Children's Crusade of 1963, and four months later four little girls were killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. And, in 1965, protestors of all races joined in solidarity in the 50-mile march from Selma to Montgomery to demand African Americans' right to vote. About the series: This video series highlights the roles of everyday people in Alabama who were involved in the Civil Rights movement. These individuals often risked their safety for the broader goal of achieving equality. Many firsthand participants are interviewed in these videos. Their perspectives provide powerful stories of struggle and change. Since many of those who participated in the Civil Rights movement were either students or children at the time, these videos are particularly useful for the classroom, giving students insights into the roles young people played in bringing about change. Watch the video series online. Curriculum Links: These videos would be useful for history, social studies, civics, politics, Women's Studies, African American studies, ethnic studies, media and film courses. They are suitable for seventh-graders and above. Note to educators and parents: Some of the content included in these videos may be intense and difficult for students to watch so we recommend that adults watch the videos before recommending them to students.

The Gabby Douglas Story
Saturday, February 1 at 8/7c

How do ordinary people achieve extraordinary goals? The Gabby Douglas Story , a Lifetime® Original Movie, tells the remarkable story of how Gabrielle Douglas defied the odds to become a two-time Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics at the young age of 16. Featuring actual footage of her incredible Olympic performances, Gabby's inspiring story comes to life in this film. Raised primarily by a single mom who has been her biggest motivator and supporter, Gabby was determined to excel in gymnastics despite many challenges along the way. But how did she accomplish her dream, becoming the first African American to win individual all-around gold and the first American to win gold in both the individual all-around and team competitions in gymnastics? This film tells Gabby's Olympic tale, a story of sacrifice and triumph, sportsmanship and teamwork. It provides a great road map for young people to think about how to "Raise the Bar" in their own lives and in their own communities.

Curriculum Links:
The Gabby Douglas Story is an inspirational film suitable for sixth-graders and above. It is a good fit with social studies, current events, physical education, and sports and society courses, among others. It is also a great film for after-school programs and activities.

View the education guide.

Watch a preview.

Afro-American Council 1907

Afro-American Council 1907 

The Evening Times, dated, May 7 1907, described the proposed discrimination case of Rev. J. L. Burton, pastor of Union Baptist Church, recently denied service at the “Capital,” apparently a store that refused service to Negroes.

The Trenton Chapter of the Afro-American Council met at Mt. Zion A.A.M. Church on N. Willow Street to plan a court action.

Rev. James E. Roberts, pastor of the Church, presided over the meeting.  Also seated on the rostrum was Rev. Allen.

Favoring pursuit of the claim were Gilbert Franklin, Edward Stevens, Rev. Mr. Allen, E.W. Johnson, and George Lucas.

The council appointed a Chairman: Rev. James E. Roberts and a Treasurer: George Lucas. It also decided to expend $25 to get the proceeding started.

Rev. I.W.L. Roundtree

Rev. I.W.L. Roundtree 

Mt. Zion AME

1906-1931

Rev. I.W.L. Roundtree became the pastor of Mt. Zion AME church in 1906. Immediately, he became involved in the welfare off the African-American community. He retired in 1931.

A, leading Republican , the party of Lincoln, Roundtree became an alternate delegate to the National Republican Convention. And was active in elections touting the Republican Party.

Rev. Roundtree was instrumental in developing the Bordentown Manual School to develop salable skills for blacks to enter the labor market.

The Evening times, February 13, 1908, records his praise of the present Republican Administration under Teddy Roosevelt.  

Rev. Roundtree was a great supporter of the Bordentown Manual School for Boys to which the Times attests in June 18, 1906 and July 10, 1908.

However, in June 18, reads in set-back in Rev. Roundtree’s career:

Outspoken, Rev Roundtree endured the wrath of his council and was transferred to Cape May

However, he kept his residence on Trenton and returned in to Mt. Zion the next year.

In 1913, Rev. Roundtree waS AN INVITEE TO Woodrow Wilson’s Wite House. (See Trenton Time, June 11, 1913

In very good graces, another news article in 1916 indicates the ministerial conference, his governing body, its totl confidence.

A headline in the Trenton Times, dated December 31, 1917, read: “Dr. Roundtree Is For More Trades Home From Educational Conference He Advocates Industrial Training for Negroes”

In 1918, Rev. Roundtree was named to a labor job for the Federal government.

As late as 1931, Rev. Roundtree continued his campaigning for Republican candidates. (See Times March 8, 1931)

Quiz on Famous African America Trenton Activities

Quiz on Famous African America Trenton Activities

Do you know where Frederick Douglass lectured when he visited Trenton in 1864?

Where Willie Mays boarded on Spring Street while playing for the Trenton Giants in 1950?

What was the club where Trenton 's African-American jazz musicians played during the 1920's?

Mt. Zion A.M.E Church was chartered in 1816!

Trenton had segregated schools until 1944!

Trenton's African American population increased by 2,000 during World War 1.

When did Shiloh Baptist Church begin?

Al Downing

Al Downing

Al Downing, born in Trenton, NJ, attended Monuments, Cadwalader, Junior #1 and Trenton Central High School. HE was President for each of three years at TCHS. He lettered in basketball and baseball and was Vice-Resident t of the Forum Club. He attended Muhlenberg College.

Signed with the New York Yankees in1961, he made the major league roster by July of that season. In his first full major league season, 1963, Downing went 13-5 with a 2.56 earned run average for a Yankee team that went 104-57.

Downing was 9-5 with a 2.66 ERA and made the All-Star team in 1967.

He was traded to the Oakland Athletics in 1970; in 1771, the LA Dodgers. Winner of 20-games, he earned NL Comeback Player of the Year honors as well as finishing third in NL Cy Young award1971.

Altogether Al Downing –played 17-years in the Major Leagues.

Downing served as a color analyst on Dodgers cable-TV broadcasts from 1984-87 and on Dodgers radio in 2005. He also broadcast for CBS Radio in the 1990’s, and the Atlanta Braves in 2000. As of 2006, he remains on the Dodgers Speaker's Bureau.

He is an honoree in the Trenton, Mercer County and New Jersey Hall of Fame.

African-American Population as a Percentage of Trenton's Population - 1810 - 1970

African-American Population as a Percentage of Trenton's Population - 1810 - 1970 

	1810	1820	1830	1840	1850	1860	1870	1880	1890	1900
Total Population	3002	3942	3925	4035	6461	17228	22874	2'9,910	57458	73307
Colored/Negro/African-American	435	800	612	441	526	675	805	1376	1732	2158
Percent of population	14.5	15.2	15.60.	10.9.	8 1	3.9	3.5	4.6	3	2.9
1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 Total Population 96815 119289 123356 96,813 128009 114167 104638 Colored/Negro/African-American 2581 4315 8057 9308 14479 25.638 39671 Percent of population 2.7 2.9 6.5 7.5 11.5 22.5 37.9 Exerpted from Data compiled by Gary Nigh. Data for 1790 and 1800 were omitted due to unavailability

African-Americans in 1935 Trenton Census

Spring Street Historic District Spring Street Historic District became an African American middle class hub during the 1920s through the 1950s. Spring Street emerged in the 1930s as a predominately African American middle class hub. The two block section located between Calhoun Street and N. Willow Street was the center of business for the African American residents of Trenton. Notable individuals who lived in the area included – Civil Rights attorney Robert Queen and New York City’s first African American mayor, David Dinkins. The section is comprised of two to three story, frame and brick dwellings. The houses in the eastern section of the district were erected before 1870 and include a number of Italianate-style dwellings. During the 1940s and 1950s, The Negro Motorist Green Book was published to assist African-American travelers to find accommodations during the era of segregation. Locations for shelter included two tourist homes, one restaurant, a beauty parlor, and a barber shop, all located on Spring Street. Two important sites on Spring Street were the YMCA Community Branch and St. Monica’s Episcopal Church. Picture of Spring Street Historic District below:   YMCA Community Branch YMCA Community Branch located on historic Spring Street The YMCA Community Branch of Trenton was established in the 1930s after lobbying by prominent African American leaders living in the spring street district. Civil Rights attorney Robert Queen led the effort, pushing Trenton YMCA to open the branch after the community pooled $1,000. The building was constructed in 1880 and is located at 105 Spring Street. It became the third location for the Community Branch in 1938. In 1944, the branch was moved to the Carver Center (originally Sunlight Elks Lodge). 105 Spring Street is now a private residence for sale. Address: 105 Spring Street, Trenton NJ, 08618 TRENTON (1935) DIRECTORY
WEST END AV, from 474 W State
to Edgewood av—P-10
1 Vacant store
Pressman Samuel
Kaplan Josehp
2 Sykes Market
Bancroft Percy
rear Aller George W
3 Thompson John
4 Dorothy Lee Flower Shop
Blake Eva Mrs
5 Vacant
6 Vacant
7 Garvey James
Connell John
8 A & P Store
Vacant
9 Cohan Benjamin
10 Crooks Alex S
12 Best Henry F
14 Dallard Ellen Mrs
Kramer H
16 Haltmeyer Beauty Parlor
18 Vacant
20 Ellis Georgie B
22 Leonard Pansy
24 Rice Elwood A
26 Bulwell Fred
28 White Lewis
30 Schenck Frederick
32 Goines Elmer
34 Johnson Samuel
35 Anderson Robert E
36 Jensen Hilmar L (Pastor of Baptist Church)
37 Harget William
38 Moore William
39 Allen Charles
40 Carter Robert
41 Vial William
42 Gillam Edward
43 Carrell Lewis
Montgomery p1 Intersects
44 Colvin Oscar T
46 Stewart Harry H
48 Hill Hart
50 Nixon Helen
52 Lyons Emma Mrs
54 Hutchins Ruhama Mrs
56 Rivers Charles
68 Howard Lizzie
60 Johnson Nettie
62 Moulton John
64 Phillips Harry J
66 Bell George
68 Redules Amos H
69 Peters Samuel J conf
70 Peters John
71 Roberts Daniel
72 Haywood Herman
73 Thurman Samuel
74 Thomas Mabel C
75 Purol Gasoline Station
100 Tattersall Co coal & bldrs sup
MONTGOMERY PL, N from N
Fisher to West End av—P-12
6 Newlin Charles W
8 Dunstan Annie Mrs
9 Steward Edward
10 Rodman Harry H
11 Williams Thomas It
12 Bullen Joseph Rev
13 Vacant
14 Vacant
15 Conrad Ulles
16 Corbin Richard
17 Adgar William
18 Johnson Thomas
19 Watson Reed
20 Sallie Abram
21 Elliott Raymond
22 Richardson John G
23 Tiggett Humphrey
24 Walker Lule M Mrs
25 Pugh George W Rev
26 Kaufman Ellen
27 Vacant
28 Lee Minnie Mrs
29 Vacant
30 Reavis Mary Mrs
31 Kemp Agnes L
32 Peters Raymond
33 Davis William
34 Vacant
35 Harvey Martha Mrs
36 Scarborough Thomas
Lytle Jas A
37 Smith James
39 Mack Henry
41 Michael Charles Rev
42 Thomas Dennis
44 Talifero Carrie Mrs
Yarbrough James
SPRING, from N Willow to Prospect 14 Brooks Irving restaurant 15 Nicholson M Inc grocers 16 Finkle Fannie confectioner  Finkle Samuel Vacant store and apt  18 Vacant store 20 Sluka John shoemake r 21 Stephan Thomas T 22 Miller Hugh J 23 Anderson William 24 Dixon Thomas 25 Palmieri Frank 26 Twiggs Leslie Mrs 27 Dillon John 28 Jonas James 29 Thompson Edward 30 Christian Clarence grocer  Roberts Juanita dressmaker 31 Roundtree Arthur Fowler intersects 33 Thomas Arthur L dentist 34 ScarboroughC F dentist 35 Desanctis Giulio shoemaker 36 Gibbs Jonathan C physician 37 Desancti Giulio 38 Lewis David 39 Hearn William 40 Hill Henry 41 Higgins Emma Mrs 42 Bowers Jennie dressmaker 43 Vacant 44 Zelley James R Jr 45 Young Edward 46 Little Jesse  .47 Heater Frank 48 McDonough Elizabeth drs'mkr 49 McCarroll Mary 50 Kiernan Patrick J 51 Clark W 52 Coles William It 53 Milgaten Nathan grocer 54 Meyer Amalia Mrs 55 McCoy Andrew 56 Cash Pearl E M Mrs 59 Claflen Henry Jr 60 Hayes Napoleon 61 Vacant 62 Garland Elizabeth Mrs 63 Lyons Aloysius F 64 Patterson Charles 65 Robison Walter E 66 Vacant 67 Vacant 68 Brown George 69 Combs Fannie Mrs 70 Queen Robert 71 Boone Philip 72 Booker John 73 Hermes Leo B 74 Spencer Emma Mrs 75 Randolph Clarence 76 Dabney Nathaniel 77 Harris Anna 78 Washington Catherine 79 Adams Harold 224 Stephenson Lawrence 225 Parrish John L 226 Russell James T 227 Closson Grover B 228 Southard Abram H 229 Butts James 230 Kenney Edward J 232 Young Herbert 233 Johnson Kate B hairdresser 234 Stout Margaret Mrs 235 Heran Herbert 236 Howell Albert J 237 Waldron Augustine 238 Mara Augustine 239 McGrory Mary E Mrs 240 Convery William J  242 Stewart William J 242 Jummel Frank P 243 Wikoff John A tinsmith 244 Wriggins Thomas P 245 Bellisfield Earl B 246 Fell Julia E Mrs 247 Bonin J Hill John J 248 Bell James B  Robson Alice realest 249 Wilson Elizabeth Mrs 250 Dwyer Stephen 251 Fineberg David L 252 Bellinger Harry  254 Haws George 256 Dignan Winfield S plumber 258 Martin Paul 260 Bennett George L paperhngr 261 First Church of Nazarene 262 Bennett Ella B Mrs 263 Moke Cora L Mrs 264 Meytrott Cornelia B 265 Buckley Edward J  Vandegrift Warren H 266 Herbert J Edward  269 Slotterbeck Hannah White intersects 80 Shephard George 81 Mayo Nelson Dinkins William H barber 83 Clarke Clifford A  Gilliam James H Kafer al intersects 84 Wismer Albert B electrician 86 Vacant 87 Smith Catharine conf 88 Morris Leroy physician 89 Conover Leila 90 Maize William S Winter intersects 91 Crosley Lefone 92 Kucker Edward W 93 St Monica's Church 94 Griffin Christina 95 Rambo Harry 96 Walsh John J 97 Wheeler George 98 Morrison Simon 99 Vacant 100 Cannon G Edward 101 Wilson Alonzo 102 Cannon Eva Mrs restaurant 104 Doles Willia B Mrs 105 Green Frances II Mrs 106 Lawshe Wilford B antiques 107 Overton John M machinist 108 Thornton G 109 Bellinger Clara Mrs 110 Hayling William S physician 111 Lee Isaac N 112 Tabrom John 113 Teeter Elijah R H 114 Blackwell Belle Mrs 115 Nichols Virginia Mrs 116 Vacant 117 Potts Elmer H barber 118 Skirm Samuel S S 119 Delaney Patrick J 120 Holmes Allen 0 121 Firman Edward J 122 Saunders John I tailor  Saunders Thomas G 123 Mills David F 124 Morton Kenneth 125 Taylor Wilfred 0 126 Vom Harler Elizabeth bty shp 127 Still Jesse 128 Stapleton Katherine T 129 Paglo Michael shoemkr 130 Freeman C Sumner Cogdell II G real est 131 Mason R. Lowell physician  133 Grant Ellen Mrs 136 Kilvington B F conf • 137 Newsome Squire J undertkr 138 McCreevy John 139 Marsh William H 140 Harbourt Harrison Harbourt's Drug Store 141 Duffield J Maynard grocer Calhoun intersects 201 Walton Bros grocers 202 People's Bakery  Parsons Elizabeth Mrs 203 Walton J Rodman 204 Sweeney Andrew E 205 Louderback Laura A Mrs 206 Hunt Herbert S 207 Cruse David 208 Clancy Michael J 210 Brown Harry S 211 Lawrence Samuel 212 McGuigan Julia Mrs 213 Graves Theodore 214 Ritter Albert F 215 Vacant 217 Hughes Anna M nurse 218 Brown Harry 219 Palmer William 220 Vacant 221 Louden George A 222 Cobine John A 223 Russell James A  333 Morgan John V 335 Kimble Mary J Mrs McManus Alice nurse 347 Hanzsche William T Rev SPRUCE, N W from N Y av to Princeton av—G-15 534 Janowski John 536 Ryba John grocer Pennsylvania av intersects 601 Ryba Michael 602 Mydlowski Alice 603 Mazruk Anthony 604 Mydlowski Alice bakery 605 Graham Otis  609 Simon Peter  611 Dworak Martin 618 Gronostaski Anthony 619 Ryczkowski Joseph 620 Slevoski Frank 621 Pietras John 622 Waiseta Vincent 624 Glonek Joseph 626 Bogacz John 628 Dennis Stephen 631 Kraus Leopold J varieties Ohio av intersects 702 Fagan Edward 704 Cohen Robert 705 Forczak George 706 Taybac John 707 Yaros Stephen 708 Foster William  710 Wolnski Anthony  713 Murray Mary Mrs  718 Malizwski Bernard  720 Nebzbala John  722 Bole Hugh 724 Kowal Peter 725 Fitzpatrick William 726 Vollmar Joseph 727 Palejszyk Adolph 728 Dura Joseph 729 Dedo Michael  731 Buckley Frank S Indiana av intersects 801 King John J 802 Hoffman Frank 807 Moran Thomas 809 Taylor George 31 811 Smith Frank J 813 Eagle Joseph P 816 Zielonka Josephine Mrs 818 Vacant 819 Hanson Jennie Mrs  Reiker Charles 819Ih Federico Benjamin shoemkr 820 Galiarda Agostine barber 821 Paszkiewicz Walter 823 Kisthardt Henry 824 Johnson Albert 825 Ziegler Peter 826 Stercula Roman Brunswick as intersects 827 Harney George Stout Sarah Mrs 829 Swatkoske George 831 Saunders Albert M 834 Dogostine Arline grocer 838 Coombe Edward F Christopher C H 840 Olbrys Bernard 844 Milutis Frank 845 Digaetino Marco 846 Collins Bernard 847 Brown Anthony T 848 Vacant 850 Stryker William 859 Przeimeinsky Frank 860 Notta John 861 Stuller Joseph 862 Rathkowski Johanna Mrs 863 Reedhead Elizabeth Mrs 864 Young James Ellis av intersects 866 Mehalyak Rose Mrs 868 Chmielewski Albert grocer 870 Ozrwsky Alex 872 Jukowski Antonin Mrs 874 Dostal Michael P 876 Barretta Salvatore 878 Drescher Karl 880 Voscek William 882 Kelky Timothy 884 Seefelt Walter 886 Sypniesky Ludwig 888 Bac George 890 Wind Michael 909 Holsneck Russell 913 Vacant 915 Wszolek Ignatz 917 Krasak Joseph 921 Tysowski Anthony Tysowski Joseph real est FOWLER, N from 30 Spring to  Bellevue av—O-15 5 Day Charles 6 Vacant store 7 Van Harler William H 9 Pigeon Levett 10 Spratley Annie Mrs 11 Saunderson Lily Mrs 12 Davis Curtis 13 Turner Selina W 14 Purcell John garage 15 Jones Fannie Mrs Summer intersects  P R R intersects  Belvidere intersects 30 Myers David 32 Rice Theodosia Mrs 43 Evans Clarence 44 Elks Home Braxton Thomas barber 45 Richardson Daniel 46 Coles James 47 Moulton Jennie Mrs 48 Davis Mark 169 FOUNTAIN AV, N W from 497  Princeton av to Reservoir— L-14 11 Respertorio Joseph shoemkr 12 Mercer Wholesale Drug Co Ivins al intersects 13 Carson Ella 15 DeFileppa Samuel 17 Viglione Frank grocer 18 Combs Mary Mrs 19 DeBlasio Angelo 20 Cifaldo Clara 22 Fyffe William 23 Burns Katherine Mrs 24 Perillo John 25 Parson Emma Mrs 26 Bamboo Michael 27 Whelen Mary Mrs 28 Driver Reginald 29 Schipski Augusta Mrs 30 Driver Robert T 31 Mattia Emelio grocer 33 Yocko Stephen 34 Salomsky John 35 Arnone Anthony 36 Servise Frank 37 Christinger Charles 38 Saunders Roy  40 Morris Edward  42 Noll Henry 45 Adams Nellie 46 Galullo Martin 47 Ullrich & Sons undertakers 48 Beatty Harry  50 Andreole Ernest 52 Dolton Leroy P 53 Hillman Theresa Mrs  55 Trayner Peter  57 Kraft Mary Mrs 59 Ficca Nicola 60 Meyers George 61 Fahey Delia Mrs 62 Hibbert George 63 Woldanski Joseph  65 Vacant 67 Vacant 104 Walker Romer 106 Howard Frank 107 Barnes Owen 108 Weiger Joseph  110 Sooy William B 112 Harris Thomas J 113 Lanning Annie Mrs  115 Duncan James  117 Klein John 119 Vacant 120 Nangle Clifford  Hughes George B fish 121 Geter Florence 121 % Lapera James 122 Pallotti Leo 123 Constance Carl 123 % Defeo Antoinette 124 Costa Gregorie 125 Schroeder Stella conf 126 Hale Ida Mrs 128 Cruse Clarence 129 Vacant 130 Jones Alex 131 Eggert John L 132 Williams Gladys 133 Lee Henry 134 Lane Emma 135 Tucker Pearl 136 Leftwick Albert 138 Logan Philip H G 139 Mathis Frank H 141 Russell Harry 143 Bellett James 149 Fearen Ivan tavern  151 Covington George 153 Jones Isaiah