Uncover the remarkable story of Jonathan J. Wright, Pennsylvania’s first African American lawyer and a South Carolina Supreme Court judge. His 1870 Wilkes-Barre speech championed equality and civil rights during Reconstruction, leaving an enduring legacy of justice and progress. Read the full story.
Celebrate Black History Month with stories of African American pioneers in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region—from Civil War bravery to crucial roles in 20th-century progress. Discover heroes like Nicholas Biddle and Charles H. King, Jr., and learn how they shaped our communities. Join us in honoring this remarkable legacy. Read the full story.
In December 1922, Donald Tarr tragically lost his life in a mining accident at the Burnside Colliery near Shamokin, Pennsylvania. As one of the small number African American miners in the region, Tarr and his family had deep roots in the local coal industry. Discover the story of this skilled miner and the legacy of his family in the anthracite fields. Read the full story.
On November 14, 1865, Black Civil War veterans marched through Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in their own “Grand Review” after being largely absent from the official event in Washington, DC earlier that year. These soldiers, who played a crucial role in securing Union victory, were honored by local leaders and called for the right to vote. Read the full story.
In July 1865, the Pottsville Miners' Journal published a letter from a vehement support of Black voting rights.
Justin and Jake share their reactions to Episode 9 of Masters of the Air.
Justin and Jake share their reactions to Episode 8 of Masters of the Air.
Harry Elmer James wrote a letter to the editor of the Harrisburg Telegraph pleading for Black equality following World War I.
John Cole was mortally wounded on July 30, 1864 in the fight initiated by his fellow residents of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Pottsville resident Nicholas Biddle became one of the first casualties of the Civil War in April 1861.