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16 African-American Firsts Besides Barack Obama

Bessie Coleman
Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman was an American civil aviator. On June 15, 1921 she became the first African-American female pilot and the first African-American to hold an international pilot license.

Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose

Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose
The first free African-American community in America was Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose (now usually referred to as Fort Mose). As early as 1687, Spain, the owners of the territory, intended to destabilize the plantation economy of the British territories by creating a free Black community that would serve as a destination for slaves seeking escape and refuge.

In effect, Spain created a Maroon colony as a frontline defense against English attacks from the north of the country.

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