This Week In Black History

Wole Soyinka, Nigerian playwright, poet, novelist and teacher, was born on this day. His powerful writing enabled him to become the first Black writer of any nation to win the Nobel Prize for literature in 1986. He was educated at Government College and University College in Ibadan. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in English, he worked as a teacher and scriptwriter at the Royal Court Theater in London. In 1960, Soyinka returned to Nigeria. He quickly became established as dramatist, actor and director. Some of his works include A Shuttle in the Crypt, Ake: The Years of Childhood and Madmen and Specialists.

July 12, 1949--

Frederick McKinley Jones, inventor, patented the removable cooling device on this day. This shockproof refrigeration unit fit into trucks, allowing long-distance trucking of perishable foods. Jones registered over 60 patents during his lifetime.

July 18, 1943--

Calvin Peete, professional golfer, was born on this day in Detroit, MI. One of 19 children, he permanently crippled his left elbow when he fell from a tree. He thought a chance for any future in sports was ended; however, at 23 years old he began to golf. He joined the PGA Tour when he was 33, and by the time he was 42, he'd won more tournaments and more money than any other golfer at that time. In 1983 he received the Ben Hogan Award from the Golf Writers Association, which goes to an individual who has achieved something significant by overcoming a physical handicap or illness. He has earned more than $2.3 million on the PGA Tour. Pete made his Senior Tour debut in 1993 at the First of America Classic and posted his best senior finish at the 1995 Bell Atlantic Classic (fourth). He resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.