PBS
Pbs: African American World History
Featuring an excerpt from a memoir written by Ruby Bridges telling of her experience as the first African American child to attend an all white elementary school in New Orleans in the year 1960.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: African American Newspapers: Freedom's Journal
Digitized collection of the first newspaper owned and produced by African-Americans (1827-1829).
US National Archives
Nara: Lt. Henry O. Flipper's Quest for Justice
Brief background information about the life of Henry Ossian Flipper, the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. The focus of this site is on his dismissal from the military, and his...
University of North Carolina
Henry Ossian Flipper, 1856 1940: The Colored Cadet at West Point
Read the complete autobiography of Henry Ossian Flipper, the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. This tells of his life through the time of his graduation and receipt of his...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Freedom: Charles W. Chesnutt: African American Identity
Short story that explores the cultural and linguistic resources that sustained African Americans in the first years of freedom. This resource focuses on Charles Chesnutt and the influence he achieved by writing about race for a white...
University of Michigan
Kellogg African American Health Care Project: William G. Anderson
Interview with Dr. William Anderson, first president of the Albany Movement. Picture, biographical information and links to 40 other interviews with black medical personnel about their experiences with discrimination.
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of San Francisco: Alvin Coffey, African American '49Er
Provides biography of an African American 49er with first hand accounts.
University at Buffalo
Black Women in Mathematics: Euphemia Lofton Haynes
A thorough biography of Euphemia Lofton Haynes, an educator who became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics.
Brigham Young University
Byu: Scott's Official History: Record of the Old Fifteenth
Information on the 369th United States infantry who were the first black men to fight in France. Includes details on training the regiment and guarding German prisoners, and also a letter from Colonel Hayward. From "The American Negro in...
PBS
Pbs News Hour: Interview With Secretary of State Rice
An interview conducted by Jim Lehrer. Topics included "Syria's presence in Lebanon, diplomatic efforts to end Iran's nuclear aspirations, the U.S. relationship with Europe, and her first months as America's top diplomat."
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: "By the Bayou St. John" by Alice Dunbar
This is the full text of the short story "By the Bayou St. John" by Alice Dunbar, an African American poet, journalist and political activist. Among the first generation born free in the South after the Civil War.
Other
Oral History Digital Collection
First-person narratives of northeastern Ohioans who have participated in, or closely observed events which have significantly affected both the state and nation.
Other
Afscme: "I've Been to the Mountaintop" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Learn about the the events of the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike which drew Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Memphis, which is where he was soon to be assassinated. Excellent source of primary sources and first hand accounts of the...
US National Archives
Nara: Letter From Jackie Robinson
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), while focusing on his contributions to the Civil Rights, features a letter written by Jackie Robinson to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The letter responded to Presidential Civil...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: Epilogue
What happened to the Texas Navy when the revolution was over and Texas was annexed by the U.S. in 1846? Check out primary texts from this time in Texas' history to research this topic: "First four pages of Edwin Moore's claims for...