Independent Historian
Megan Brodsky was born in San Jose, CA, and raised in Burien, WA. Her deep interest in history grew from her first university history class about the 1960s in America. From then, her appreciation for learning about United States history has only deepened. Megan is currently a senior at the University of Washington, Seattle, studying Communication. She firmly believes every college student should enroll in at least one history class to understand how we got to where we are today.

Harry S. McAlpin (1906-1985)

Harry S. McAlpin was the first African-American reporter to attend a press conference at the White House. McAlpin was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 21, 1906. He grew up in St. Louis and then attended the University of Wisconsin where he studied journalism and advertising and received his degree … Read MoreHarry S. McAlpin (1906-1985)

Abbey Lincoln (1930-2010)

Born Anna Marie Wooldridge in Chicago, Illinois on August 6, 1930, and raised on a farm in Calvin Center, Cass County, Michigan, Abbey Lincoln (stage name) was an African-American jazz singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. The tenth out of twelve children, she began her singing career at a young … Read MoreAbbey Lincoln (1930-2010)

Ole Miss Riot (1962)

On the evening of Sunday, September 30, 1962, Southern segregationists rioted and fought state and federal forces on the campus of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford, Mississippi to prevent the enrollment of the first African American student to attend the university, James Meredith, a U.S. military veteran. President … Read MoreOle Miss Riot (1962)

Lester Lyles (1946- )

Air Force General Lester Lyles was born on April 20, 1946, in Washington, D.C. He attended public schools in the District and then in 1968, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University. While at Howard he joined the Air Force ROTC program and upon graduation in … Read MoreLester Lyles (1946- )