This Day in History: 2017-09-06
1773 – “Phillis Wheatley’s ‘Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral’ Published” “Phillis Wheatley, the first professional African-American woman poet, became the first African-American woman whose writings were published with the printing of this volume. The book was published by Archibald Bell, the leading bookseller and printer London at the time, who required proof that Wheatley had written the poems herself. The volume of poems, 39 in all, broke barriers for African-American writers, as it was illegal in several of the states in the U.S. for a slave to learn how to read or write.”
1912 - “Jim Thorpe Wins Decathlon and Pentathlon at Olympics” "Jim Thorpe, a member of the Sac and Fox Nations, won the gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Olympics. It was the first year that those events were held in the history of the modern Olympics. The accomplishments were just two in a career of great feats that ended in Thorpe being considered one of the most versatile athletes in American history. In addition to his track and field achievements, Thorpe succeeded at football, basketball and baseball."