Black History Month takes place in the UK each year in October and it's a great time to learn more about Black history, culture and heritage. Here we share 10 lesser-known stories and facts.
The 'other' Rosa Parks
The story of Rosa Parks is well known, how back in 1955 she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger, helping initiate the Civil Rights Movement.
But did you know?
Nine months before Rosa bravely stood her ground, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin was on her way home from high school when she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, saying she had paid her fare and it was her constitutional right to take her seat, but she was then arrested by two police officers.
Claudette later became a main witness in the federal lawsuit Browder v. Gayle, which ended segregation on public transportation in Alabama.
The Forgotten WW2 massacre
Today, most people know that Black and Asian soldiers bravely fought in both World Wars, with many losing their lives.
But did you know?
On 1 December 1944, African soldiers who had fought alongside French soldiers and helped the French defeat the Nazis were executed by the French army – the exact number murdered is still not known. This became known as the Thiaroye massacre or the Forgotten WW2 Massacre. They were shot dead after asking to be paid the bonuses that were owed to them and calling for equal treatment with French soldiers.
The Moors - scientific pioneers
If you know anything about Spain, you will probably know that the Moors, Muslim people from North Africa, ruled the country for 800 years and their influence on the country’s culture is still evident today.
But did you know?
The Moors introduced new scientific techniques to Europe, such as an astrolabe, a device for measuring the position of the stars and planets, and scientific progress in astronomy, chemistry, physics, mathematics, geography, and philosophy flourished in Moorish Spain.
Whipping away the desire for freedom
Many slaves tried to escape their brutal bondage, with the luckiest escaping to the ‘free’ States, where slavery was outlawed, or even travelling as far as Canada.
But did you know?
The desire to escape slavery and refusing to live in bondage was once classified as a mental illness, Drapetomania, and ‘whipping the devil out of them’ was thought of as a preventative measure. An American doctor invented the diagnosis in 1851, claiming that slavery was the natural state for African people.
The wait for a memorial
In 2004, a monument was unveiled in Hyde Park, London, to remember the animals who served and died under British military command.
But did you know?
It was not until 2017 that the UK saw the unveiling of its national memorial recognising the bravery and sacrifice of the two million African and Caribbean service personnel who fought in the First and Second World Wars. The memorial can be found in Windrush Square in Brixton, London.
Zoos and human zoos
We’re all aware of zoos, short for zoological gardens, where animals are displayed to the public and often bred for conservation purposes. Perhaps we’ve visited one, perhaps we haven’t, as we think they are cruel.
But did you know?
Human zoos were exhibits of black and indigenous peoples caged and displayed in a ‘makeshift natural habitat.’ They were popularised during the 1870s and continued to be popular into the 20th century. Warsaw, Milan, London, New York, Antwerp, Hamburg, Norway, Belgium and Paris are just a few of the places that had human zoo exhibits.
To choose death over enslavement
Slaves were transported from Africa to the slave plantations in the US by boat in horrific and inhumane conditions. Many lost their lives during the hard and torturous journey.
But did you know
The Igbo Landing of 1803 is considered to be the first major freedom march in American history and was an act of mass resistance against slavery. A group of slaves who were being transported from Nigeria revolted and took control of the slave ship, and grounded it on an island. Rather than submit to slavery, they chose death. They marched into the water to drown, while it is said they sang: "Mum mmiri du anyi bịa, mmụọ mmiri ga-edu anyi laa." The water spirit brought us. The water spirit will take us home.
Discrimination against an award-winning actress
In 1940, American actress, singer-songwriter, and comedienne Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Oscar, for her role in Gone with the Wind.
But did you know?
Hattie was not allowed to attend the national premiere of Gone With The Wind in Atlanta, because she was Black. Even at the Oscars ceremony she faced discrimination, being seated at a segregated table. No other Black woman was awarded an Oscar for 50 years until Whoopi Goldberg won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Ghost in 1990.
The cardiologist and hospital founder
Dr Daniel Hale Williams, born in 1856, is renowned as the first African American cardiologist in the USA.
But did you know?
He is credited with performing the first successful open-heart surgery on a human and opening the first interracial hospital in 1891. In 1913, he was elected as the only African American charter member of the American College of Surgeons. His famous quote is: "A people who don't make provision for their own sick and suffering are not worthy of civilisation.”
The story of Britain's first black female footballer
Women are successfully breaking down the barriers in the male-dominated sport of football. The British Council's own Premier Skills programme is helping women around the world play the game, using it to address key social issues, such as violence against women and girls and female participation in sport.
But did you know?
The story of Britain's first black female footballer, Emma Clarke, has only come to light in recent years. She was born in Bootle, Liverpool in 1876. She played as an outfielder, occasionally appearing in goal. Following winter training under the guidance of former Arsenal player Bill Julian during the 1894-95 season, she made her debut on 23 March 1895 in Crouch End, London, for the British Ladies' team. She went on to appear at stadiums such as Newcastle United's St James' Park and Ipswich Town's Portman Road.