black history On All That's Interesting

‘He Wasn’t A Typical Gangster’: Inside The Wild Life Of Harlem Godfather Bumpy Johnson

Known for being a fearsome crime boss, Ellsworth Raymond "Bumpy" Johnson ruled the Harlem neighborhood of New York City in the mid-20th century.

By Hannah McKennett Mar 10, 2026

‘He Wasn’t A Typical Gangster’: Inside The Wild Life Of Harlem Godfather Bumpy Johnson

Known for being a fearsome crime boss, Ellsworth Raymond "Bumpy" Johnson ruled the Harlem neighborhood of New York City in the mid-20th century.

By Hannah McKennett March 10, 2026

Inside The Remarkable Story Of Jack Johnson, The First Black Heavyweight Champion

Known as the "Galveston Giant," Jack Johnson made history as the first African American to hold the world heavyweight boxing championship.

By Austin Harvey Feb 20, 2026

Inside The Remarkable Story Of Jack Johnson, The First Black Heavyweight Champion

Known as the "Galveston Giant," Jack Johnson made history as the first African American to hold the world heavyweight boxing championship.

By Austin Harvey February 20, 2026

The Little-Known Story Of World War II Hero Charles Jackson French And The 15 Sailors He Saved

When the USS Gregory sank on September 5, 1942, a mess hall officer named Charles Jackson French dragged a raft full of his wounded crewmates to safety through shark-infested waters.

By Kaleena Fraga Feb 18, 2026

The Little-Known Story Of World War II Hero Charles Jackson French And The 15 Sailors He Saved

When the USS Gregory sank on September 5, 1942, a mess hall officer named Charles Jackson French dragged a raft full of his wounded crewmates to safety through shark-infested waters.

By Kaleena Fraga February 18, 2026

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A Stop On The Underground Railroad Has Been Discovered Hidden Inside New York’s Historic Merchant’s House

The Merchant's House Museum in Manhattan was built by abolitionist Joseph Brewster in 1832 — and a secret passage behind its walls now appears to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

By Cara Johnson Feb 17, 2026

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A Stop On The Underground Railroad Has Been Discovered Hidden Inside New York’s Historic Merchant’s House

The Merchant's House Museum in Manhattan was built by abolitionist Joseph Brewster in 1832 — and a secret passage behind its walls now appears to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

By Cara Johnson February 17, 2026

The Story Of C.P. Ellis, The KKK Leader Whose 1971 Meeting With A Black Activist Changed His Life

When C.P. Ellis was tasked with working with Ann Atwater to desegregate Durham, North Carolina schools, he was an "Exalted Cyclops" of the KKK. Ten days later, he was a strong supporter of the civil rights movement.

By Genevieve Carlton Feb 6, 2026

The Story Of C.P. Ellis, The KKK Leader Whose 1971 Meeting With A Black Activist Changed His Life

By Genevieve Carlton February 6, 2026

The Unlikely Story Of Sarah Rector, The Oklahoma Teenager Who Became A Millionaire Oil Baron

By the time she turned 18, Sarah Rector's net worth was estimated at over $1 million — about $28 million today. And it all came from undesirable land that the federal government gave her.

By Gina Dimuro Feb 5, 2026

The Unlikely Story Of Sarah Rector, The Oklahoma Teenager Who Became A Millionaire Oil Baron

By the time she turned 18, Sarah Rector's net worth was estimated at over $1 million — about $28 million today. And it all came from undesirable land that the federal government gave her.

By Gina Dimuro February 5, 2026

Meet Rachel Knight, The Enslaved Woman Who Helped Found The Free State Of Jones

During the Civil War, Rachel Knight joined forces with a white Southern Unionist named Newton Knight — and helped him wage a guerrilla campaign against Confederates in Mississippi.

By Jessica O'Connor Feb 4, 2026

Meet Rachel Knight, The Enslaved Woman Who Helped Found The Free State Of Jones

During the Civil War, Rachel Knight joined forces with a white Southern Unionist named Newton Knight — and helped him wage a guerrilla campaign against Confederates in Mississippi.

By Jessica O'Connor February 4, 2026

The True Story Of Julianna Farrait, The Wife Of ‘American Gangster’ Frank Lucas

A former beauty queen from Puerto Rico, Julianna Farrait fell madly in love with Harlem drug trafficker Frank Lucas in the 1960s — then started dealing drugs herself.

By Kaleena Fraga Jan 24, 2026

The True Story Of Julianna Farrait, The Wife Of ‘American Gangster’ Frank Lucas

A former beauty queen from Puerto Rico, Julianna Farrait fell madly in love with Harlem drug trafficker Frank Lucas in the 1960s — then started dealing drugs herself.

By Kaleena Fraga January 24, 2026

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The Tragic Death Of Sean Bell, The Unarmed Black Man Who Was Fatally Shot By NYPD Officers On His Wedding Day

In the early morning hours of November 25, 2006, five plainclothes officers opened fire on Sean Bell's vehicle in Queens, fatally striking the 23-year-old, because they thought one of his friends had a weapon — but there was no gun in the car.

By Ainsley Brown Jan 22, 2026