Student Historian
Elliot Partin.jpg
 Elliot Partin is in his final quarter of undergraduate studies at The University of Washington specializing in Military History. His passions are researching history and traveling to major historical sites around the world. He recently completed a trip of a lifetime with his fiancé Michele to numerous battlefields across Europe spanning over nearly a millennium of warfare in 3 months. Elliot served in the U.S. Marines from 2004-2008, he was assigned to 1st Battalion 1st Marines at Camp Pendleton, California. After serving three tours in Iraq as an infantrymen he was honorably discharged from the Marines and began furthering his education at the University of Washington. Elliot hopes to return to civil service after graduating through employment with the US Government.

24th Infantry Regiment in Korea (1950-1951)

Authorized by Congress in 1866 and activated on November 1, 1869, the 24th Infantry Regiment was one of four all-black regiments created after the Civil War.  The unit remained composed of black enlisted men and mostly white officers until 1951 when it was disbanded during … Read More24th Infantry Regiment in Korea (1950-1951)

Viola Mitchell Turner (1900-1988)

Viola Mitchell Turner, an early black executive with North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1900. The only child of poor, impoverished, teenage African American parents she would succeed in becoming the first female African American member of the North … Read MoreViola Mitchell Turner (1900-1988)

Highland Beach, Maryland (1893- )

Highland Beach, Maryland, the oldest of the major black resort towns, was founded along the western shore of Chesapeake Bay in 1893 by Charles and Laura Douglass.  Charles Douglass was the son of prominent abolitionist and nineteenth-century civil rights activist Frederick Douglass. Major Charles Douglass, … Read MoreHighland Beach, Maryland (1893- )

La Tribune de la Nouvelle-Orléans (1864-1868)

The New Orleans Tribune was the first African American daily newspaper in the United States. Started in 1864 by Charles Louise Roudanez the Tribune was notable in that it was bilingual. Articles were written in both French, for the majority of African Americans in Louisiana, … Read MoreLa Tribune de la Nouvelle-Orléans (1864-1868)

Freedom’s Journal (1827-1829)

Freedom’s Journal, established the same year that slavery was abolished in New York, was the first African American-owned and operated newspaper in the United States. In its early years, it distributed more than 800 copies throughout 11 states and the District of Columbia. It reached … Read MoreFreedom’s Journal (1827-1829)

The African Insurance Company (1810-1813)

In 1810 The African Insurance Company was created with offices located at 159 Lombard Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  It was the first African American-owned insurance company in the United States. The first president was Joseph Randolph while Cyrus Porter was treasurer and William Coleman was … Read MoreThe African Insurance Company (1810-1813)

1st Rhode Island Regiment

The 1st Rhode Island Regiment was a Continental Army regiment during the American Revolutionary War. The 1st Rhode Island Regiment became known as the “Black Regiment” due to its allowing the recruitment of African Americans in 1778.  This decision, designed to help fill dwindling ranks … Read More1st Rhode Island Regiment