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Black History Groups
Learn more about the lives of African-Americans who have made extraordinary achievements in their fields, with our collection of Black History Groups.
Explore our curated collections of African-American figures, including:
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Watch full episodes of Black History icons, record-breakers and leaders. See how famous figures like Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln and Jackie Robinson changed history. See all videos.
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Black History Photos
Flip through these photos of some of Black History's most important, controversial and inspiring figures. Check out our African American Firsts - Athletes, Black Comedians, Million-Dollor Ideas, African American Biopics, African American Expats, or explore all of our Black History photos.
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Black History Timeline
Celebrate the historical icons of America's black community through this interactive journey.
1 / 25 photos African-American Firsts Athletes
1890: George Dixon becomes the first African-American world boxing champion.
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1899: Marshall "Major" Taylor becomes the first African-American world cycling champion.
1908: During the Olympics in London, John Baxter Taylor becomes the first African-American to win a gold medal (4 x 400 relay).
1921: Fritz Pollard (first row, right) becomes the first African-American (co-)coach of a professional football team, the Akron Pros.
1924: Dehart Hubbard becomes the first African-American to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual event (long jump).
1936: Jesse Owens becomes the first African-American to win four gold medals at a single Olympics tournament.
1947: Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American Major League Baseball player when he joins the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1949: George Taliaferro becomes the first African-American drafted by an NFL team (Chicago Bears), but elects not to enter the league.
1950: Earl Lloyd becomes the first African-American to play in the NBA.
1957: Althea Gibson becomes the first African-American to play in, and win, the women's singles title at Wimbledon.
1958: Willie O'Ree becomes the first African-American to play in the NHL.
1960: Wilma Rudolph becomes the first woman in Olympics history to win three gold medals in a single Olympics.
1961: Wendell Scott becomes the first African-American to start a NASCAR race, and wins his first event on December 1, 1963, at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Florida.
1961: Ernie Davis becomes the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
1962: Charlie Sifford becomes the first African-American PGA Tour member.
1966: Bill Russell becomes the first African-American to coach an NBA team (Boston Celtics).
1967: Emlen Tunnell is the first African-American to be inducted into the NFL's Hall of Fame.
1975: Lee Elder becomes the first African-American to play in the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National.
1975: Arthur Ashe becomes the first and—as of 2012—only African-American to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon.
1988: Doug Williams becomes the first African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
1989: Art Shell becomes the second-ever African-American to coach an NFL team, and the first in the modern era (L.A. Raiders).
1995: Sheryl Swoopes becomes the first female athlete to have an athletic shoe named after her.
1997: Tiger Woods becomes the first African-American to win the Masters Golf Tournament.
2002: Ozzie Newsom becomes the first African-American General Manager of an NFL team (Baltimore Ravens).
2004: Robert L. Johnson becomes the first African-American, principal owner of a major-league sports franchise in North America (the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats).
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The 27 Club
The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 Club
The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 Club
The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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The 27 Club
The 27 club is a group of artists who died tragically at the young age of 27. They were some of the most talented minds of their generation, and in their short lives each made an enormous impact. Sadly, many led hard-partying lifestyles, abusing drugs and alcohol. These are the musicians and artists who make up the 27 club.
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