This Week in History, November 28 to December 4: 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. Information for "This Week in History" is taken from the African American Registry. November 28 On this day in 1869, African-American lawyer and politician William Francis was born. Appointed U.S. Minister to Liberia, he and his wife were instrumental in getting anti-lynching laws passed in the state of Minnesota. November 29 On this day in 1920, African-American actress and poet Beah Richards was born. Following a varied career in stage, television, and film, she won an Emmy Award days before her death in September 2000. November 30 On this day in 1924, African-American educational administrator and politician Shirley Chisholm was born. She was the first Black woman to be elected to the United States Congress. December 1 On this day in 1882, businessman and politician John Sommerville was born. The first Black to graduate from the USC School of Dentistry, he worked to help Blacks in Los Angeles. He was the first Black member of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the first Black appointed to the Los Angeles Police Commission, and was declared an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to Anglo-American relations. December 2 On this day in 1903, journalist and activist Alfred E. Smith was born. He was a member of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Black Cabinet," an unofficial group of Blacks who advised President Roosevelt on policies affecting Black Americans. He also founded the Capitol Press Club, a group of Washington-based Black journalists. December 3 On this day in 1922, African-American atomic scientist Ralph Gardner was born. He was involved on classified plutonium research that was known as the Manhattan Project, which led to making of the atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan in 1945. December 4 On this day in 1909, The Amsterdam News was founded in the heart of Harlem. With a circulation of more than 100,000 at its peak, it has been one of the leading Black weekly newspapers for almost 100 years.