Today in “Hidden” History is a daily listing of important but little-known events illustrating the range of innovators, contributors, or incidents excluded from formal history lessons or common knowledge. Hidden history is intended not as an exhaustive review, but merely as an illustration of how popular narratives “hide” many matters of fundamental importance. Bookmark this page and check daily to quickly expand your knowledge. Suggest entries for Today in “Hidden” History by clicking the Contact Us link.
April 26| Date | Type | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1886 |  Gertrude "Ma" Rainey (née Pridgett) is born. An influential American blues singer and early blues recording artist, she was dubbed the "Mother of the Blues" and bridged earlier vaudeville and the authentic expression of southern blues, influencing a generation of blues singers. Her first recording was made in 1923. In the following five years, she made over 100 recordings, including "Bo-Weevil Blues" (1923), "Moonshine Blues" (1923), "See See Rider Blues" (1924), "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (1927), and "Soon This Morning" (1927). Rainey was known for her powerful vocal abilities, energetic disposition, majestic phrasing, and a "moaning" style of singing. Rainey recorded with Thomas Dorsey and Louis Armstrong, and she toured and recorded with the Georgia Jazz Band. Learn more. | |
| 1892 |  Inventor Sarah Boone obtains United States patent number 473,563 for her improvements to the ironing board. Boone's ironing board was designed to improve the quality of ironing sleeves and the bodies of women's garments. Previously, The board was very narrow, curved, and made of wood. The shape and structure allowed it to fit a sleeve and it was reversible, so one could iron both sides of the sleeve. Along with Miriam Benjamin, Ellen Eglin, and Sarah Goode, Boone was one of four African American women inventors of her time who developed new technology for the home. Learn more. | |
| 1960 |  Black demonstrators engage in a locally-organized nonviolent protest and walk onto Biloxi Beach on Mississippi's Gulf Coast in order to hold a “wade-in” challenging the segregated beach area. The Black activists are met by a group of angry white people who tell them to leave the beach. When the Black people refuse to leave, the white mob attacks them with sticks, clubs, pipes, and whips while local law enforcement do nothing to intervene. When white airmen from a nearby Air Force base try to protect injured protesters, they too are attacked. Learn more. |
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