Tuesday, February 13th:

The corner of Washington and Hull Streets was known as the “hot corner” for the black
community in the early 20th century. The Morton Building, Samaritan Building and Union Hall housed black businesses including professional offices, poolrooms, barbershops and undertakers.

- Compiled by Brooks Becker

Monday, February 12th:

Athens was home to three black newspapers in the 19th century following the Civil War.
The Athens Blade, the Athens Clipper and the Progressive Era provided news to the black community.
At the time, few towns had even one black newspaper.

- Compiled by Brooks Becker

Friday, February 9th:

Lucius Henry Holsey, a 14-year-old slave, arrived in Athens in 1857 as the property of a college professor.
The academic atmosphere of Athens inspired Holsey to learn to read. He sold old scraps of clothes to raise money for books and began to educate himself. He became a preacher in 1868, and later founded Paine Institute in Augusta.
In 1903, the historically black college was renamed Paine College.

- Compiled by Krista Derbecker

Thursday, February 8th:

Three hundred forty University professors signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes on Jan. 12, 1961. Federal Judge William Bootle ordered the University readmit the students. They returned to class with escorts shortly after. A building on North Campus is named in their honor.

Di Gamma Kappa will honor Hunter-Gault with its 2007 Distinguished Broadcaster Award at 6:30 p.m. today in the South Psychology-Journalism Auditorium.

- Compiled by Krista Derbecker

Wednesday, February 7th:

On Jan. 11, 1961, Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes were the first black students to attend classes at the University.

Although students reacted peacefully during the day, a riot broke out after a basketball game outside of Myers Hall where Hunter lived.

The angry mob carried a banner with racial slurs, started fires and threw bricks at the building.

University administrators temporarily withdrew Hunter and Holmes for their own safety.

- Compiled by Krista Derbecker

Tuesday, February 6th:

Born in Athens on Feb. 3, 1875, Samuel F. Harris became the first black educator in the then-Clarke County.

Harris helped create the foundation for the local public school system, and with Harris as principal in 1922, Athens High and Industrial School became the first accredited black public secondary school in the state.

Harris also grew the industrial and agricultural training programs in Athens.

- Compiled by Krista Derbecker

Monday, February 5th:

Monroe Bowers “Pink” Morton, born in 1856 to a slave woman and wealthy white man, became a prominent figure in developing Athens.

In addition to being the second black man to hold the position of the Athens postmaster, Morton constructed many buildings downtown, including the Morton Building and Theatre, a popular venue for entertainment performances, state meetings and graduations.

The Morton Theatre burned in 1944, but was renovated into a performing arts locale in the 1990s.

- Compiled by Krista Derbecker