Teaching Black History
Test your knowledge
1. In York, a small park off College Avenue is named in memory of Helen Thackston. Why?
A. She gave the city the land.
B. Her home was on the site of the park.
C. She helped care for and educate inner-city children all her life.
D. She taught black children at a school once on the site.
2. Pennsylvania was the first state in the union to pass a law calling for the gradual abolition of slavery. When was it passed?
A. 1825
B. 1800
C. 1780
D. 1857
3. In the first half of the 20th century, this black physician was considered the “mayor” of the black community. What was his name?
A. Aquilla Howard
B. George Bowles
C. James Smallwood
D. Squire Braxton
4. Who was Crispus Attucks?
A. A black leader in York.
B. A civil rights activist.
C. An 18th-century man living in Boston.
D. A professional football player.
5. Maulana Karenga, the founder of Kwanzaa, was a graduate of which high school?
A. Central York High School
B. William Penn Senior High School
C. Spring Grove Area Senior High School
D. Hanover Senior High School
Source: “Almost Forgotten” by James McClure
Answers: 1. C. After the Crispus Attucks Community Center was established in 1931, Helen Thackston started its preschool program and served as its director until 1964. She also headed the young people’s choir at her church and was superintendent of its Sunday school for the primary grades. For the first 15 years, she worked without pay. Her care for the children at Crispus Attucks included meeting the children at Penn Park and walking them to and from Crispus Attucks. She died in 1969, and the park was named for her in 1972.2. C. In 1780, a measure was passed for gradual abolition of slavery. Pennsylvania was the first state of the union to pass an abolition law.
3. B. For much of the time he was in practice, Dr. George Bowles was York’s only black doctor.
4. C. Before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Crispus Attucks was among those protesting the tea tax. British soldiers killed him. Crispus Attucks, son of an African man, became the first to die for America’s freedom. The Crispus Attucks Community Center in York bears his name.
5. B. Karenga was known as Ron Everett when he graduated from William Penn Senior High School in 1958. The seven-day celebration of black cultural unity begins on Dec. 26. The first Kwanzaa was in 1966.
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