Harlem Renaissance  The Harlem Renaissance took place after World War I and was the beginning of literary and artistic talent from the African Americans.  This would have been impossible if it wasn’t for a group of African American civil rights that became very important during the 20 th century.  In the 1920’s, black writers and artists in Harlem led a new movement in literature, theatre, and jazz. This was called the “New Negro” movement.

Harlem Renaissance  As a result of this event, many songs, poems, novels and other things were published from the African Americans.  African Americans were able to be free with their creativity in whatever they were talented at.  They brought a new approach to many things that the whites were never thought to do.

Harlem Renaissance Pictures

Jazz Music  Jazz was known for its spontaneous and improvisational character and heartfelt lyrics.  It originated in New Orleans the early 1900’s, but had a hard time being accepted by the public.  Some of the most famous African American jazz musicians were Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.

Jazz Music  If jazz music had never evolved, African Americans would be in a very different position today.  Discrimination would be even more harsh today.  Africans Americans could learn how to face injustice from their own music.  Rap music probably wouldn’t have existed today.

Jazz Music Pictures Louis Armstrong Ella Fitzgerald Billie Holiday Duke Ellington (and his orchestra)

Jesse Owens Olympics  Jesse Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.  He was Nicknamed the “Buckeye Bullet”.  Was only supposed to win 3 medals, but Hitler asked officials to remove Jewish runners off of Relay Team, so Owens substituted.  Didn’t mind Hitler not shaking his hand.  Discriminated against by even president.  After Olympics, had many German fans.

Jesse Owens Olympics Pictures

Jackie Robinson Early Life HHe was born on January 31, 1919 Cairo, Georgia. WWhen he was young, his family relocated to Pasadena, California, where he was put to work early, and took up a job as newspaper boy and also sold food at Rose Bowl games for extra money. HHe played both basketball and baseball as a child.

Baseball Career WWhen he became an adult, Jackie also became second baseman for the minor-league team, the Montreal Royals. Professional baseball was “separate, but equal”, with a National League for whites and a Negro League for blacks. MMost Negro League stars were not known to most of society, while nearly everyone in America knew the names of the white stars. RRobinson’s first game was played better than most games played by white stars, and he sparked new trends in the way baseball was played. TThe game of professional baseball received night baseball, batting helmets, shin-guards, the hit-and-run play, and the feet first slide, all from the Negro Leagues. AApril 18, On this day, the first major league was played by Jackie Robinson.

Changes in Baseball JJackie’s debut sparked many new rules and regulations for the game of baseball. After 1947, all major league teams had to sign players from the Negro Leagues, or they could not compete. IIn fact, with this law, the game received night baseball, batting helmets, shin-guards, the hit-and-run play, and the feet first slide, which all originated in the Negro Leagues of baseball. TTwelve years later, every competitive team had at least one, African American player and the Negro Leagues had almost completely disappeared. At this point, baseball had obviously completely integrated with those of any skin color and truly became equal. BBlack players were finally receiving the same fame as white players had been getting all along.

Jackie Robinson Pictures Jackie Robinson batting Robinson in Uniform Jackie Robinson Comic Book Cover