01of 09Feb. 1, 1901: Langston Hughes Is BornJames Mercer Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri to parents Carrie M. Langston and James N. Hughes. He released his first book of poems,The Weary Blues, in 1926 and was awarded a literary prize for his debut novel,Not Without Laughter, in 1930.The award-winning poet went on to create a large body of highly influential work — including several novels, short stories and plays — that highlighted portrayals of Black life in America during the 20s to the 60s. Some of his most famous poems areLet America Be America Again(1936),I, Too(1945) andHarlem(1951).Hughes died of complications from prostate cancer on May 22, 1967, in New York City. He was 65 years old. His home at 20 East 127thStreet in Harlem was givenlandmark statusand East 127thStreet was renamed “Langston Hughes Place” in his honor.
01of 09
Feb. 1, 1901: Langston Hughes Is Born
James Mercer Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri to parents Carrie M. Langston and James N. Hughes. He released his first book of poems,The Weary Blues, in 1926 and was awarded a literary prize for his debut novel,Not Without Laughter, in 1930.
The award-winning poet went on to create a large body of highly influential work — including several novels, short stories and plays — that highlighted portrayals of Black life in America during the 20s to the 60s. Some of his most famous poems areLet America Be America Again(1936),I, Too(1945) andHarlem(1951).
Hughes died of complications from prostate cancer on May 22, 1967, in New York City. He was 65 years old. His home at 20 East 127thStreet in Harlem was givenlandmark statusand East 127thStreet was renamed “Langston Hughes Place” in his honor.
02of 09Feb. 2, 1897: Alfred L. Cralle Invents the Ice Cream ScoopCourtesy PhotoCralle was born in 1866 in Kenbridge, Virginia and grew up helping his father in the carpentry trade. While working as a porter for a hotel, Cralle noticed that people were having a hard time scooping ice cream with ordinary utensils, so he decided to create a device that would help, according toThe Undefeated.In 1897, Cralle had patented the Ice Cream Mold and Disher, which was designed to not only scoop ice cream but also keep it from sticking to the device to make the process a lot easier. His handy invention is still used today.
02of 09
Feb. 2, 1897: Alfred L. Cralle Invents the Ice Cream Scoop
Courtesy Photo
Cralle was born in 1866 in Kenbridge, Virginia and grew up helping his father in the carpentry trade. While working as a porter for a hotel, Cralle noticed that people were having a hard time scooping ice cream with ordinary utensils, so he decided to create a device that would help, according toThe Undefeated.
In 1897, Cralle had patented the Ice Cream Mold and Disher, which was designed to not only scoop ice cream but also keep it from sticking to the device to make the process a lot easier. His handy invention is still used today.
03of 09
Feb. 3, 1989: Lori McNeil Defeats Chris Evert in the Pan Pacific Open
Barbara Alper/Getty
Legendary tennis star McNeil became an All-American in singles and doubles at Oklahoma State University before turning pro in 1984, according to theWomen’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame.
She most famously beat the now-retiredInternational Tennis Hall of Famer Chris Evertin the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on this day in history,32 years ago.
She’s won 32 career doubles titles and was appointed assistant coach to the U.S. Olympic Team in 2004, and continues to serve as a mentor for young players.
04of 09
Feb. 4, 1913: Rosa Parks Is Born
Universal History Archive/Getty
Thecivil rights activistwas born in Tuskegee, Alabama, to parents James and Leona McCauley. She is known for getting arrested after refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger, after a white bus driver demanded that she do so.
By Dec. 21, 1956, one year and 20 days after her initial arrest,Parks was photographed sitting in the front seat of a busafter her long-fought victory. Parks died in 2005 after a lifetime of fighting against civil rights injustices.
05of 09
Feb. 5, 1934: Baseball Legend Hank Aaron Is Born
Hank Aaron.Bettmann/Getty
Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama, and primarily played for the Milwaukee Braves as right fielder. His career highlights include earning three Gold Glove Awards, making 25 All-Star Game appearances and leading the Braves in 1957 to their first World Series Championship since 1914, according to theBaseball Hall of Fame.
He diedon Jan. 22, 2021, at the age of 86.
06of 09
Feb. 6, 1993: Arthur Ashe Dies at 49
Arthur Ashe wins Wimbledon.Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty
The tennis champion andtireless civil rights activist diedof AIDS-related complications one year before his 50th birthday.
Ashe was the first and only Black man to win Wimbledon and the U.S. and Australian Opens, according toThe New York Times. He was the first Black tennis player chosen to represent the U.S. at the Davis Cup and won five championships. He also helped create the Association of Tennis Professionals in an effort to help protect the interests of players.
07of 09Feb. 7, 1926: Carter Godwin Woodson Initiates First Negro History WeekHulton Archive/GettyThe scholar proposed and launched “Negro History Week,” which became “Black History Month” in 1976. The author of more than 30 books was said to havechosen the month of Februaryin order to honor two significant birthdays: Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14). The man also known as the “Father of Black History” was the second African-American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University (the first was W.E.B. Du Bois) in 1912. He died in 1950.
07of 09
Feb. 7, 1926: Carter Godwin Woodson Initiates First Negro History Week
Hulton Archive/Getty
The scholar proposed and launched “Negro History Week,” which became “Black History Month” in 1976. The author of more than 30 books was said to havechosen the month of Februaryin order to honor two significant birthdays: Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14). The man also known as the “Father of Black History” was the second African-American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University (the first was W.E.B. Du Bois) in 1912. He died in 1950.
08of 09Feb. 8, 1986: Debi Thomas Becomes First Black Woman to Win a National Figure Skating TitleRonald C. Modra/The LIFE Images Collection/GettyOn this day 34 years ago, Thomas was the first Black figure skater to win the U.S. National Figure Skating Championship in Women’s Singles. She achieved the incredible feat while also studying pre-med as a student at Stanford University,BETreports.Before retiring from the sport and beginning medical school at Northwestern University, Thomas also took the title of the first Black figure skater to win a medal in any Winter Olympics sport when she earned a bronze medal at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
08of 09
Feb. 8, 1986: Debi Thomas Becomes First Black Woman to Win a National Figure Skating Title
Ronald C. Modra/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty
On this day 34 years ago, Thomas was the first Black figure skater to win the U.S. National Figure Skating Championship in Women’s Singles. She achieved the incredible feat while also studying pre-med as a student at Stanford University,BETreports.
Before retiring from the sport and beginning medical school at Northwestern University, Thomas also took the title of the first Black figure skater to win a medal in any Winter Olympics sport when she earned a bronze medal at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
09of 09
Feb. 9, 1944: Alice Walker Is Born
Dana Nalbandian/WireImage
Walker’s other significant works includePossessing the Secret of Joy,The Third Life of Grange CopelandandMeridian. She was inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame in 2001 and the California Hall of Fame in The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts in 2006, according toPBS.
source: people.com
