Today in Black History: November 14th
1915 – Booker T. Washington Passes Away
Booker T. Washington, born enslaved on April 5, 1856, in Hale’s Ford, Virginia, became a significant figure in African American history. Freed at nine, he moved to West Virginia and later adopted the name “Washington” for school. At 16, he attended Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute and became the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in 1881, serving until his death in 1915.
Washington advocated for African American advancement through practical skills, earning the nickname “The Great Accommodator.” Despite his controversial views on segregation, he secretly funded anti-lynching efforts. He was honored posthumously with a U.S. postal stamp and a coin. Washington died at home on November 14, 1915.
1960 – U.S. Marshalls Escorted Ruby Bridges to School
Ruby Bridges became a civil rights icon in 1960 when, at six years old, she integrated an all-white school in New Orleans. Born on September 8, 1954, in Tylertown, Mississippi, she moved to New Orleans in 1958. On November 14, 1960, she attended William Frantz Public School, escorted by Federal marshals due to threats of violence. Initially the only student in her class, she received one-on-one instruction from teacher Barbara Henry.
Bridges graduated from an integrated high school and worked as a travel agent, becoming one of the first African Americans at American Express. She later returned to William Frantz as a parent liaison and founded the Ruby Bridges Foundation.
2002 – Nate Long Passes Away
Nate Long (1930-2002) was a filmmaker, producer, director, stuntman, and educator in Hollywood and the Pacific Northwest. After serving in the Air Force and earning a black belt in judo, he taught martial arts to inner-city youth in Seattle. In 1970, he founded Oscar Productions to provide media training for students and produced programs like Action Inner City and Aggin News. His documentaries South by Northwest and The Second Time Around won multiple awards.
Long was among the first African American second unit directors in Hollywood, working on films like Tex and Mr. Billion. He directed programs at several universities and passed away from leukemia on November 14, 2002.
