African Americans In The 1900's

American history is made up of countless events that are important, and these events have led America to where it is today. More specifically, Black History Month is celebrated in February annually. February is the month in which the achievements of important African Americans are acknowledged. On December 8, two of the most famous African Americans in the 1900s, entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. and comedian Flip Wilson, were born. Sammy Davis Jr. was born December 8, 1925 in New York, New York. Davis had one sister named Ramona Sanchez. Sammy Davis Jr. was raised by his paternal grandmother originally, but after his parents divorced, he went to live with his father. Due to performing on tour with his father and adopted uncle, he never received
had a busy early life. In 1943, Davis was drafted into the army and there, he experienced racism. In the Army, he was able to find fun in entertaining and performing. Entertaining and performing also allowed him to get away from harassment and abuse in which he faced while in the army. After the war, Davis began singing and recording records. Sammy Davis Jr.’s life was changed after a tragic car accident. This accident not only could have taken his life, but it caused him to lose an eye and have to use a glass eye for most of his life. After the tragic car accident, Davis converted to Judaism. Entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. was a singer, dancer, actor, and a comedian all in one. His song “What Kind of Fool Am I?” allowed him to be nominated for a Record of the Year Grammy. Davis was also featured in the Rat Pack films: Ocean’s (1960), Sergeants 3 (1962), and Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964). As a comedian, he hosted his very own The Sammy Davis Jr. Show. Sammy Davis Jr. was not only an entertainer, he also contributed to the Civil Rights Movement. Davis refused to perform at racially segregated nightclubs. He also married into an interracial marriage even though interracial marriages were banned by the law in 31
He was one of many children. Wilson was abandoned by his mother along with several of his siblings and was forced to be in and out of foster care. After running away multiple times, he was sent to reform school, but he eventually quit school at the age of sixteen. Flip Wilson was reunited with his father at age thirteen. Wilson joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of sixteen, right after quitting school.
Flip Wilson got his stage name due to being known for his stand-out humor. People would think he was “flipping out.” He began comedy at a hotel he worked at. Wilson earned a Grammy Award for his The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress. Flip Wilson was a storyteller and very nonpolitical. Flip Wilson had his own television show. He loved to tell stories and jokes on his show. The Flip Wilson Show was an award-winning hit variety show. It consisted of seasons and episodes. Wilson’s show placed number two out of all programs on television within just two seasons. Sammy Davis Jr. starred on one of his