November 7, 2021
Edward Alexander Bouchet
Edward Alexander Bouchet made history on this day in 1876 by becoming the first Black person to receive a PhD—in his case in Physics--from Yale University. Despite this achievement, he was unable to secure a college professorship primarily because he was Black. He taught high schools until he retired.
Also on this day
On this day in 1972, Barbara Charline Jordan was elected to the United States House of Representative, becoming the first Black Woman from the South in Congress since Reconstruction. She was a lawyer and educator.
Carl Stokes and Richard Hatcher made political history on this day in 1967 as the first Blacks to serve as chief executives of major U.S. cities. Stokes was elected as mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, Hatcher as mayor of Gary, Indiana.
Carl Stokes and Richard Hatcher made political history on this day in 1967 as the first Blacks to serve as chief executives of major U.S. cities. Stokes was elected as mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, Hatcher as mayor of Gary, Indiana.