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 18:

Date	Type	Event
1822		Denmark Vesey (also Telemaque), a free African American carpenter and leader in Charleston, South Carolina, is arrested on accusations he is the leader of a planned major slave revolt scheduled to take place in the city. He will be executed on July 2. Learn more.
1889		African American inventor William H. Richardson receives U.S. patent 405,600 for his invention of the reversible baby carriage. Richardson’s innovation ditched the existing shell shaped carrier for a basket-shaped carriage that was more symmetrical. The bassinet could be positioned to face either out or in and rotated on a central joint. A limiting device kept it from being rotated more than 90 degrees. The wheels also moved independently, which made it more maneuverable. Now a parent or nanny could have the child face them or face away from them, whichever they preferred, and change it at will. Learn more.
1942		Bernard W. Robinson becomes the first African American Naval officer, commissioned in the US Naval Reserve. Facing ubiquitous discrimination, African Americans were, until this action, not even considered for commissions. Robinson attended Harvard Medical School and became a prominent radiologist after the war. Dedicated to the care of veterans, Robinson served in the Veterans Administration Hospitals system for the remainder of his career, interrupted only by his re-enlistment in the Navy from 1953-55. Learn more.
1968		The United States Supreme Court releases its landmark decision in Jones v. Alfred H. Mayer Co, banning housing discrimination in sales and rentals. Reversing many precedents, the Court holds that: (1) Congress can regulate the sale of private property to prevent racial discrimination; (2) the Civil Rights Act of 1866 bars all racial discrimination, private as well as public, in the sale or rental of property; and (3) that the law is a valid exercise of the power of Congress to enforce the Thirteenth Amendment. Learn more.