This Week In Black History January 29-February 4

JANUARY 29 1837—The great Russian literary genius Alexander Pushkin dies on this day as a result of a duel. He is generally considered Russia’s great­est poet. Unlike many famous Euro­peans of color, Pushkin was proud of his Black heritage, which is traced to his great grandfather on his moth­er’s side—Ibrahim Petrovich Gannibal who was most probably an Ethiopian who became part of Russian royalty. Pushkin’s poetic style combined dra­ma, romance and satire. 1908—Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity is incorporated. The Black Greek-let­ter organization was actually found­ed, however, on Dec. 4, 1906. The “brothers of the black and gold” have included as members a host of dis­tinguished men ranging from W.E.B. DuBois to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1913—Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is incorporated. It is the nation’s old­est Black Greek-letter sorority having been founded at Howard Universi­ty in Washington, D.C., in 1908. The AKAs are currently headquartered in Chicago, Ill. 1954—Talk-show diva Oprah Win­frey was born on this day in Koscius­ko, Miss. However, she was raised in Nashville, Tenn. Winfrey ended her popular “Oprah” show in 2011. She has already launched her own net­work, OWN. JANUARY 30 1797—Sojourner Truth is born Isa­bella Baumfree in Ulster County, N.Y. She becomes the most...