Independent Historian

David Zuber is a retired high school counselor and principal. He earned a Master’s Degree from the Centre of West African Studies at the University of Birmingham, England and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. He has authored two books Behind the Mask: The British Cotton Growing Association 1902-1923 and An American Indian’s Encounter with the 1930s Judicial System. He resides near his birthplace in northern California.

Hubert Maga (1916-2000)

Hubert Maga was the first president of Dahomey (Benin). He was born on August 10, 1916 in Parakou a city in northern Dahomey then a French colony and attended local primary schools in Parakou. He later attended the prestigious school Normale William Ponty in Dakar, … Read MoreHubert Maga (1916-2000)

Grégoire Kayibanda (1924-1976)

Grégoire Kayibanda was the first president of Rwanda. He was born on May 1, 1924, in Musambira, Rwanda. He attended primary school in his home village and then in 1947 he completed his studies at the Major Seminary in Nyakibanda, Rwanda. Kayibanda then worked as … Read MoreGrégoire Kayibanda (1924-1976)

André Muhirwa (1920-2003)

André Muhirwa was the first prime minister of independent Burundi. He was born in 1920 in Murete, Ruanda-Urundi (then a Belgian colony). His father, Mbanzabugabo, was a rural chief. In 1930 when Muhirwa’s father died the Belgian colonial government appointed a successor to the chieftaincy … Read MoreAndré Muhirwa (1920-2003)

Hispanics Replace African Americans as the Largest Group of Color in the U.S. (2003)

On July 1, 2003, the U.S. Census reported for the first time that Hispanics outnumbered African Americans to become the largest group of color in the United States. This population shift, while not unexpected, occurred more quickly than demographers had anticipated. As late as 1980, … Read MoreHispanics Replace African Americans as the Largest Group of Color in the U.S. (2003)

Maurice Yaméogo (1921-1993)

Maurice Yaméogo was the first President of the west African nation of Upper Volta, today known as Burkina Faso. He was born in the town of Koudougou, Upper Volta (then a French colony) on December 31, 1921. He had a twin sister, Wamanegbo. His parents … Read MoreMaurice Yaméogo (1921-1993)

William Reynolds v. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas (1903)

In 1879 the Kansas State Legislature passed a law permitting first class cities in Kansas (cities with a population of 15,000 or more) to create racially segregated schools. The Topeka Board of Education quickly followed by segregating elementary schools in the city. In 1890 Lowman … Read MoreWilliam Reynolds v. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas (1903)

Rhode Island Constitution of 1842

After American independence most states wrote constitutions that mirrored the national constitution with minor differences. The state of Rhode Island was an exception.  It retained the Royal Charter of 1663 granted by the British crown. Under that charter only adult male citizens who owned at … Read MoreRhode Island Constitution of 1842

François Tombalbaye (1918-1975)

François Tombalbaye was the first President of Chad. He was born on June 15, 1918 in the village of Bessada in southern Chad which was then a French colony. His family were from the Sara ethnic group. Tombalbaye attended primary school in the town of … Read MoreFrançois Tombalbaye (1918-1975)