187th birthday of Hiram Rhodes Revels

(Born 20 January 1827, Fayetteville, NC, US)

Theologian, educator, Republican party politician, elected first African American senator in the US senate, February 1870, representing Mississippi 

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96th birthday of John Harold Johnson

(Born 19 January 1918, Arkansas City, US)

Publisher (including the influential title, Ebony) and versatile entrepreneur

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158th birthday of Daniel Hale Williams

(Born 18 January 1856, Holidaysbury, Penn, US)

Influential surgeon, one of the pioneers of open-heart surgery, founder of Chicago’s Provident Hospital in1891 that plays a crucial role in African American health provision and care in the region during the epoch

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90th birthday of Jewel Plummer Cobb

(Born 17 January 1924, Chicago, US)

Renowned biologist specialising in cancer research, academic, and president (vice-chancellor) of California State University, Fullerton, 1981-1990

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83rd birthday of Douglas Wilder

(Born 17 January 1931, Richmond, VA, US)

Lawyer, Democratic party politician, becomes first African American governor in the US when he wins the governor’s election contest in the state of Virginia, 8 November 1989 

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255th birthday of Paul Cufee

(Born 17 January 1759, Cuttyhunk Is, Mass, US)

Leading abolitionist of African enslavement, sailor, successful and expansive businessperson, owner of a shipping conglomerate, founder of schools and promoter of educational opportunities for African Americans as well as others, actively involved in the early 19th century’s African American and African British return-to-Sierra Leone projects 

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85th birthday of Martin Luther King

(Born 15 January 1929, Atlanta, US)

One of the most outstanding human rights activists in history

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