Black History Month Facts

Our lives are filled with so much history, and as I get older I find myself becoming more intrigued in history. One of my goals is to travel more. I was able to travel last year to Alabama, and came across a piece of history that I knew nothing about. I cannot wait until I am able to return to explore more history. On the return back home, on the road my friends and I stopped in Memphis, Tennesee at Tom Lee Park, and I learned about Tom Lee.

Tom Lee (1885-1952)


Tom Lee helped saved 32 peoples lives after the steamboat, M.E. Norman capsized on May 8, 1925. He used his boat, Zev to save their lives, even though he could not swim. The park was renamed in his honor, and an obelisk was created in his memory. There is also a monument of him saving a man reaching out to him. The monument stirred up some emotions in me when I looked at. It is truly amazing!! Here are some pictures that I took at the park. For more information on Tom Lee and the rescue check out this website http://tomleeamemphishero.webs.com/history.htm or take a trip there.

Zora Neale Hurston (January 8, 1891-January 28, 1960)

www.biography.com

Zora Neale Hurston was a novelist, short story writer, folklorist, and anthropologist. One of her most famous novels is Their Eyes Were Watching God. Her writing career spanned over 30 years, and she published four novels, two folklore books, short stories, an autobiography, and essays, plays, and articles.

Ms. Hurston would be on my list of people to meet from the past. She died on the date that would be become my birthdate 23 years later.

For more about Zora Neale Hurston check out the website http://zoranealehurston.com/about/ and http://www.biography.com/people/zora-neale-hurston-9347659.