Happy Birthday Matthew Henson

“I think I'm the first man to sit on top of the world” - Matthew Henson

(Matthew Henson)

Matthew Henson was born in Nanjemoy, Maryland, USA on August 8th, 1866. Henson’s mother died when he was 2 years old. Later his father died and Henson was sent to live with his uncle in Washington D.C., USA. At 12 years old Henson moved to Baltimore, MD. While in Maryland he became a cabin boy on a merchant ship. In November of 1887 he met commander Robert E. Peary. Henson was recruited by Peary as an aide for a surveying expedition to Nicaragua.

(Henson as a young man)

Peary was impressed with Henson on that expedition so Peary made Henson his 1st man in his expeditions. For more than 20 years their expeditions were to the Arctic. Henson traded with the Inuit natives and mastered their language. They called him Mahri-Pahluk. He was a skilled craftsman, and he came up with solutions for what the team needed in the harsh Arctic conditions. In 1908 Peary mounted his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. Peary selected Henson and four Inuit natives as part of the team of six who would make the final run to the North Pole.

(Henson (Right) with his associates)

Henson was set as a scout after Peary fell ill and couldn't go on. Henson reached the North Pole and placed the American flag. Henson became the 1st man to reach the North Pole. In 1909 Henson was honored within the Black community but as a whole his contributions were ignored. In 1912 Henson published a memoir of his arctic exploration. For the next 30 years Henson worked in the U.S. Customs House in New York. In 1947 he collaborated with Bradley Robinson to write Henson’s biography Dark Companion. In 1937 Henson was admitted as a member to the prestigious Explorers Club in New York City. In 1944 Henson was awarded with the Peary Polar Expedition Medal.

(Henson (Right) at the White House)

On March 9th, 1955 Matthew Henson passed away in The Bronx, New York. He was 88 years old.

(Henson later in life)

Today is his 151st birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Matthew Henson.

Books relating to Matthew Henson

• A Black Explorer at the North Pole (1912) by Matthew Henson
• Dark Companion: The Story of Matthew Henson (1947) by Bradley Robinson

Anniversary of Duse Mohamed Ali's Death

“One God, one aim, one destiny” - Duse Mohamed Ali

(Duse Mohamed Ali)

Duse Mohamed Ali was born on November 21st, 1866 in Alexandria, Egypt. At age 9 his father arranged for him to go to school in England. His father died in 1882. Ali was then forced to go back to Egypt. Ali then returned to England to finish his schooling. He then became an actor after graduating from the University of London.

(Ali after college)

Ali was in the company of Herbert Beerbohm Tree and in Lillie Langtry's production of “Antony and Cleopatra”. Ali toured the British isles as an actor. In 1902 he produced “Othello” and “The Merchant of Venice”.

(Ali in 1902)

In 1903 he wrote the play “The Jew’s Revenge”. In 1907 he wrote the play “A Cleopatra Night”. In 1909 he wrote the play “Lily of Bermuda”. Ali also toured in the US. Ali then founded the Hull Shakespeare Society. In 1912 Ali founded the journal African Times and Orient Review (ATOR) in London. The journal advocated Pan African nationalism. In 1915 Ali founded and was Secretary of the Indian Moslem Soldiers' Widows' and Orphans' War Fund. Ali mentored Marcus Garvey during Garvey’s visits to London. In 1918 the journal was banned by England in India and its African colonies. In 1921 Ali moved to the US. He briefly worked with Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association movement. He then moved to Nigeria. In 1932 Ali produced the play “A Daughter of Pharaoh”. In 1933 Ali began publication of “The Comet”, a weekly newspaper.

(Ali later in life)

On June 25th, 1945 Duse Mohamed Ali died of a protracted illness in Lagos, Nigeria. He was 78 years old. Today is the 72nd anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great activist and playwright today.

Plays by Duse Mohamed Ali

• “The Jew's Revenge” (1903)
• “A Daughter of Judah” (1906)
• “A Cleopatra Night” (1907)
• “Lily of Bermuda” (1909)  

Anniversary of Matthew Henson's Death

“I think I'm the first man to sit on top of the world” - Matthew Henson

(Matthew Henson)

Matthew Henson was born in Nanjemoy, Maryland, USA on August 8th, 1866. Henson’s mother died when he was 2 years old. Later his father died and Henson was sent to live with his uncle in Washington D.C., USA. At 12 years old Henson moved to Baltimore, MD. While in Maryland he became a cabin boy on a merchant ship. In November of 1887 he met commander Robert E. Peary. Henson was recruited by Peary as an aide for a surveying expedition to Nicaragua.

(Henson as a young man)

Peary was impressed with Henson on that expedition so Peary made Henson his 1st man in his expeditions. For more than 20 years their expeditions were to the Arctic. Henson traded with the Inuit natives and mastered their language. They called him Mahri-Pahluk. He was a skilled craftsman, and he came up with solutions for what the team needed in the harsh Arctic conditions. In 1908 Peary mounted his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. Peary selected Henson and four Inuit natives as part of the team of six who would make the final run to the North Pole.

(Henson (Right) with his associates)

Henson was set as a scout after Peary fell ill and couldn't go on. Henson reached the North Pole and placed the American flag. Henson became the 1st man to reach the North Pole. In 1909 Henson was honored within the Black community but as a whole his contributions were ignored. In 1912 Henson published a memoir of his arctic exploration. For the next 30 years Henson worked in the U.S. Customs House in New York. In 1947 he collaborated with Bradley Robinson to write Henson’s biography Dark Companion. In 1937 Henson was admitted as a member to the prestigious Explorers Club in New York City. In 1944 Henson was awarded with the Peary Polar Expedition Medal.

(Henson (Right)with President Dwight Eisenhower (Left))

On March 9th, 1955 Matthew Henson passed away in The Bronx, New York. He was 88 years old.

(Henson in 1944)

Today is the 62nd anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great explorer today.

Books relating to Matthew Henson

• A Black Explorer at the North Pole (1912) by Matthew Henson
• Dark Companion: The Story of Matthew Henson (1947) by Bradley Robinson

Happy Birthday Duse Mohamed Ali

“One God, one aim, one destiny” - Duse Mohamed Ali

(Duse Mohamed Ali)

Duse Mohamed Ali was born on November 21st, 1866 in Alexandria, Egypt. At age 9 his father arranged for him to go to school in England. His father died in 1882. Ali was then forced to go back to Egypt. Ali then returned to England to finish his schooling. He then became an actor after graduating from the University of London.

(Ali after college)

Ali was in the company of Herbert Beerbohm Tree and in Lillie Langtry's production of “Antony and Cleopatra”. Ali toured the British isles as an actor. In 1902 he produced “Othello” and “The Merchant of Venice”.

(Ali in 1902)

In 1903 he wrote the play “The Jew’s Revenge”. In 1907 he wrote the play “A Cleopatra Night”. In 1909 he wrote the play “Lily of Bermuda”. Ali also toured in the US. Ali then founded the Hull Shakespeare Society. In 1912 Ali founded the journal African Times and Orient Review (ATOR) in London. The journal advocated Pan African nationalism. In 1915 Ali founded and was Secretary of the Indian Moslem Soldiers' Widows' and Orphans' War Fund. Ali mentored Marcus Garvey during Garvey’s visits to London. In 1918 the journal was banned by England in India and its African colonies. In 1921 Ali moved to the US. He briefly worked with Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association movement. He then moved to Nigeria. In 1932 Ali produced the play “A Daughter of Pharaoh”. In 1933 Ali began publication of “The Comet”, a weekly newspaper.

(Ali later in life)

On June 25th, 1945 Duse Mohamed Ali died of a protracted illness in Lagos, Nigeria. He was 78 years old. Today is his 150th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Duse Mohamed Ali.

Plays by Duse Mohamed Ali

• “The Jew's Revenge” (1903)
• “A Daughter of Judah” (1906)
• “A Cleopatra Night” (1907)
• “Lily of Bermuda” (1909)  

(P.S. sorry for the late post)

Happy Birthday Matthew Henson

“I think I'm the first man to sit on top of the world” - Matthew Henson

(Matthew Henson)

Matthew Henson was born in Nanjemoy, Maryland, USA on August 8th, 1866. Henson’s mother died when he was 2 years old. Later his father died and Henson was sent to live with his uncle in Washington D.C., USA. At 12 years old Henson moved to Baltimore, MD. While in Maryland he became a cabin boy on a merchant ship. In November of 1887 he met commander Robert E. Peary. Henson was recruited by Peary as an aide for a surveying expedition to Nicaragua.

(Henson as a young man)

Peary was impressed with Henson on that expedition so Peary made Henson his 1st man in his expeditions. For more than 20 years their expeditions were to the Arctic. Henson traded with the Inuit natives and mastered their language. They called him Mahri-Pahluk. He was a skilled craftsman, and he came up with solutions for what the team needed in the harsh Arctic conditions. In 1908 Peary mounted his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. Peary selected Henson and four Inuit natives as part of the team of six who would make the final run to the North Pole.

(Henson (Right) with his associates)

Henson was set as a scout after Peary fell ill and couldn't go on. Henson reached the North Pole and placed the American flag. Henson became the 1st man to reach the North Pole. In 1909 Henson was honored within the Black community but as a whole his contributions were ignored. In 1912 Henson published a memoir of his arctic exploration. For the next 30 years Henson worked in the U.S. Customs House in New York. In 1947 he collaborated with Bradley Robinson to write Henson’s biography Dark Companion. In 1937 Henson was admitted as a member to the prestigious Explorers Club in New York City. In 1944 Henson was awarded with the Peary Polar Expedition Medal.

(Henson (Right) at the White House)

On March 9th, 1955 Matthew Henson passed away in The Bronx, New York. He was 88 years old.

(Henson later in life)

Today is his 150th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Matthew Henson.

Books relating to Matthew Henson

• A Black Explorer at the North Pole (1912) by Matthew Henson
• Dark Companion: The Story of Matthew Henson (1947) by Bradley Robinson

(P.S. sorry for the late post)

Anniversary of Duse Mohamed Ali's Death

“One God, one aim, one destiny” - Duse Mohamed Ali

(Duse Mohamed Ali)

Duse Mohamed Ali was born on November 21st, 1866 in Alexandria, Egypt. At age 9 his father arranged for him to go to school in England. His father died in 1882. Ali was then forced to go back to Egypt. Ali then returned to England to finish his schooling. He then became an actor after graduating from the University of London.

(Ali after college)

Ali was in the company of Herbert Beerbohm Tree and in Lillie Langtry's production of “Antony and Cleopatra”. Ali toured the British isles as an actor. In 1902 he produced “Othello” and “The Merchant of Venice”.

(Ali in 1902)

In 1903 he wrote the play “The Jew’s Revenge”. In 1907 he wrote the play “A Cleopatra Night”. In 1909 he wrote the play “Lily of Bermuda”. Ali also toured in the US. Ali then founded the Hull Shakespeare Society. In 1912 Ali founded the journal African Times and Orient Review (ATOR) in London. The journal advocated Pan African nationalism. In 1915 Ali founded and was Secretary of the Indian Moslem Soldiers' Widows' and Orphans' War Fund. Ali mentored Marcus Garvey during Garvey’s visits to London. In 1918 the journal was banned by England in India and its African colonies. In 1921 Ali moved to the US. He briefly worked with Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association movement. He then moved to Nigeria. In 1932 Ali produced the play “A Daughter of Pharaoh”. In 1933 Ali began publication of “The Comet”, a weekly newspaper.

(Ali later in life)

On June 25th, 1945 Duse Mohamed Ali died of a protracted illness in Lagos, Nigeria. He was 78 years old. Today is the 71st anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great activist and playwright today.

Plays by Duse Mohamed Ali

• “The Jew's Revenge” (1903)
• “A Daughter of Judah” (1906)
• “A Cleopatra Night” (1907)
• “Lily of Bermuda” (1909)  

Anniversary of Matthew Henson's Death

“I think I'm the first man to sit on top of the world” - Matthew Henson

(Matthew Henson)

Matthew Henson was born in Nanjemoy, Maryland, USA on August 8th, 1866. Henson’s mother died when he was 2 years old. Later his father died and Henson was sent to live with his uncle in Washington D.C., USA. At 12 years old Henson moved to Baltimore, MD. While in Maryland he became a cabin boy on a merchant ship. In November of 1887 he met commander Robert E. Peary. Henson was recruited by Peary as an aide for a surveying expedition to Nicaragua.

(Henson as a young man)

Peary was impressed with Henson on that expedition so Peary made Henson his 1st man in his expeditions. For more than 20 years their expeditions were to the Arctic. Henson traded with the Inuit natives and mastered their language. They called him Mahri-Pahluk. He was a skilled craftsman, and he came up with solutions for what the team needed in the harsh Arctic conditions. In 1908 Peary mounted his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. Peary selected Henson and four Inuit natives as part of the team of six who would make the final run to the North Pole.

(Henson (Right) with his associates)

Henson was set as a scout after Peary fell ill and couldn't go on. Henson reached the North Pole and placed the American flag. Henson became the 1st man to reach the North Pole. In 1909 Henson was honored within the Black community but as a whole his contributions were ignored. In 1912 Henson published a memoir of his arctic exploration. For the next 30 years Henson worked in the U.S. Customs House in New York. In 1947 he collaborated with Bradley Robinson to write Henson’s biography Dark Companion. In 1937 Henson was admitted as a member to the prestigious Explorers Club in New York City. In 1944 Henson was awarded with the Peary Polar Expedition Medal.

(Henson (Right) at the White House)

On March 9th, 1955 Matthew Henson passed away in The Bronx, New York. He was 88 years old.

(Henson later in life)

Today is the 61st anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great explorer today.

Books relating to Matthew Henson

• A Black Explorer at the North Pole (1912) by Matthew Henson
• Dark Companion: The Story of Matthew Henson (1947) by Bradley Robinson