Ridgefield Allies

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. Entries for June 11:

Date	Type	Event
1920		Critically acclaimed performing artist, jazz and classical pianist, singer, and actor Hazel Dorothy Scott is born in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Scott moved to New York City with her mother at the age of four. Scott was a child musical prodigy, receiving scholarships to study at the Juilliard School when she was eight. In her teens, she performed in a jazz band. She also performed on the radio. She was prominent as a jazz singer throughout the 1930s and 1940s. In 1950, she became the first black American to host her own TV show, The Hazel Scott Show. Her career in America faltered after she testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1950 during the McCarthy era. Scott subsequently moved to Paris in 1957 and began performing in Europe, not returning to the United States until 1967. Scott was an outspoken critic of racial discrimination and segregation, and used her influence to improve the representation of Black Americans in film. Learn more.
1963		President John F. Kennedy delivered a civil rights speech in which he proposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. During the speech President Kennedy called segregation "morally wrong" and moved America to view civil rights not just as a legal issue, but as a moral one. This speech was given in response to the National Guard being sent to protect African American students Vivian Malone and James Hood’s enrollment at the University of Alabama. This speech clearly placed President Kennedy as an advocate for the civil rights of African Americans and helped transform the thoughts of many towards seeing and seeking a change of civil rights for African Americans in this country. Learn more.
1963		James Hood and Vivian Malone are the first African-Americans to enroll at the University of Alabama in 1963, after being temporarily delayed by Alabama Governor George Wallace who attempted to block their entry, an incident known as the “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door.” Wallace stood in front of the university’s Foster Auditorium when Hood arrived to pay his fees, accompanied by Malone and U.S. Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach. As Hood and Malone waited in the car, Katzenbach and a small team of federal marshals confronted Wallace to demand that Malone and Hood be allowed entry by order of the state court and for Wallace to step aside. Wallace refused the order and in front of crowds of media crews delivered a short, defiant speech. With Wallace refusing to allow entry, President John F. Kennedy federalized the Alabama National Guard later the same day. Guardsmen then escorted Hood and Malone back to the auditorium, where Wallace moved aside at the request of General Henry Graham, while Hood and Malone entered the building, through another door. Learn more.
1967		Police officer James Calvert shoots unarmed Black teen Martin Chambers in the back in Tampa, Florida, setting off three days of civil unrest. Calvert pursued Chambers on unverified suspicion of robbing a local photo supply store. Calvert claimed he shot to stop the Chambers from running away, aimed for his shoulder, but missed. Three Black men who witnessed the shooting claimed Calvert shot Chambers after he had stopped running and had his hands up against a chain link fence. After just two days of investigation, officials ruled the shooting necessary. Learn more.