This Week in History, January 18–24:
Contributions of African-Americans
   
Note: Here, learn about some of the African-Americans who have influenced history and contributed to the culture we now enjoy. To learn more about each individual, click on that person's name.

January 18
On this date in 1858, African-American surgeon Daniel Hale Williams was born. A charter member of the American College of Surgeons and the first Black surgeon admitted to that organization, he performed the first successful open-heart surgery.

January 19
On this day in 1906, African-American administrator, writer, and activist Anna Elizabeth Tanneyhill was born. Her tireless energy, superb organizational skills, and expertise helped guide the Urban League to path-breaking achievements in forging employment opportunities for Blacks in the century's middle decades, and she organized the League's nationwide annual vocational opportunity campaigns to inspire Black youth to pursue the schooling and training that would prepare them for good jobs.

January 20
On this day in 1868, African-American physician Austin Curtis was born. A prominent turn-of-the-century surgeon, he was professor of surgery at Howard University for 25 years and was chief surgeon at Freedmen's Hospital. Also on this date in 2001, Rod Paige was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the first African-American Secretary of Education.

January 21
On this day in 1906, African-American aviator, activist, and educator Willa Brown was born. The first Black officer in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), she and her husband formed the Coffey School of Aeronautics to train African-American pilots.

January 22
On this day in 1866, African-American physician Thomas Unthank was born. He co-founded Douglass Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, one of the first public hospitals used exclusively for minority citizens in the United States. Through his efforts, a county home for elderly Black citizens was also established, and a park and recreational area for Black residents of Kansas City was built.

January 23
On this day in 1930, African-American surgeon and kidney specialist Samuel Lee Kountz was born. Kountz participated in the first west-coast kidney transplant, and developed a technique for detecting and treating rejection of transplanted kidneys. Before his technique was developed, fewer than 5 percent of kidney transplant patients survived for more than two years.

January 24
On this day in 1908, African-American diplomat and humanitarian John Thomas was born. Through his four decades of efforts in Europe, Cuba, and Vietnam, it is estimated that he saved more than five million lives. The first African-American to head an international organization, he was a global emissary of the people who focused on the needs of individuals in times of crisis worldwide.