Black History Month

2.  Banneker was born in Maryland on
November 9, 1731.
 He was the son of Robert and Mary
Bannaky.
 Banneker grew up on a tobacco farm.
 He was born a free man during the times
when most African Americans were utilized
as slaves.
 He was the first ever surveyor of the Federal
District (Washington D.C.).

3.  He learned important skills in life such as
how to read and write from his
grandmother, Molly Welsh.
 He mostly learned from a bible book his
grandmother used.
 As a child, Banneker attended the Quaker
School, which provided him with many
opportunities.
 Banneker taught himself advanced
mathematics and astronomy from the
books that were lent by the Ellicott brothers.

4.  As a child, Banneker and a neighboring
friend, George Ellicott, both shared an
interest in science.
 While he was attending the Quaker school
for boys, he learned how to write and do
simple arithmetic.
 At the age of fifth-teen, he obtained an
eighth grade education.

5.  August 19, 1791, Benjamin
Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas
Jefferson pleading for justice for
African American slaves and racial
equality before the law.
 In his letter, he quoted words from
the Declaration of Independence
and he also sent Jefferson a letter
of his almanacs to show proof that
African Americans were truly
intellectual.

6. Benjamin Banneker

7.  At twenty-two completed the
years old, Banneker astronomical
calculation in 1790
invented the for the almanac.
wooden chiming
clock for keeping  Banneker’s almanacs
time. and his intelligence
 He was intrigued proved to the
citizens popular
with astronomy belief that “African
because of George Americans were
Ellicott and he inferior in intellect.”

8. Wooden Clock Invention
Banneker used the essence of a
pocket watch he examined to build
his own wooden clock in 1761.

9.  Banneker made predictions
for Solar and lunar eclipses .
 Even though he was unable to
sell his observations, he was
still determine to continue his
studies.
 He was referred as “the first
Negro Man of Science” during
his times.
 He was Americas first African
American inventor.

10.  Banneker did a mathematical study on the
cycle of the seventeen-year locust.
 He calculated a mathematical formula that
forecasted the solar eclipse on April 14,
1789.
Solar Eclipse

11.  At the age of fifty-eight, he became
interested in astronomy because of George
Ellicott.
 Between the years 1792 and 1797,
Benjamin Banneker calculated ephemerides
(tables of locations of stars and planets). He
then published six almanacs in twenty-
eight editions.

12.  1731-Birth Date
 1737-Learns to read and
write
 1752-Makes a wooden
clock
 1789-Only scientist to
predict a solar eclipse on
this date
 1791-Joins a surveying
team
 1797-Last almanac
published
 1806-Day he died

13.  Banneker was known as the “Sable
Astronomer”.
 In 1980, the U.S. Postal Service supplied a
postage stamp in his honor and great
accomplishments.
 Banneker’s home was burn on the day of
his burial.
 The school master of the Quaker School he
attended as a child changed his last name
from Bannaky to Banneker.

14.  Banneker learned to predict the weather
through careful observations.
 He was remembered as the first African
American who received a presidential
appointment.
 His almanac was sponsored by the
Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of
Slavery.
 Banneker studied astronomy until his death
in October 1806.

15.  Banneker made an
incredible contribution to
our society with his great
mind and hard work.
Without him, we wouldn’t
have almanacs today. He
made a huge impact to
the African Americans
during his time,
exhibiting to everyone
that blacks are indeed
superior and intellect.

17. Benjamin Banneker
Benjamin Banneker inspired many people during his
time. Here shows Banneker with his studies.

18. Banneker’s Monuments
Banneker’s memorial statue.
A picture of Banneker’s burial
site.

19.  Spangenburg, Ray, and Kit Moser. "Banneker, Benjamin."
African Americans in Science, Math, and Invention, A to Z of
African Americans. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003.
African-American History Online. Facts On File,
Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE01&iPin=AASM0005&SingleRecord=True (accessed
February 13, 2012).
 Petty, J.B. "Benjamin Banneker." Booklist 1 Feb. 2010: 56. Gale
Power Search. Web. 15 Feb. 2012.
 "Mathematician and Astronomer Benjamin Banneker Was
Born."America's Story from America's Library. Library of
Congress, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2012.
<http://http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/colonial/jb_coloni
al_banneker_3.html

20.  " Benjamin Banneker - Black History Biographies | The
Black Heritage Commemorative Society." Black History
Biographies | The Black Heritage Commemorative
Society » Black History Biographies from the Black
Heritage Commemorative Society. Black Heritage
Commemorative Society, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2012.
<http://blackhistorynow.com/benjamin-banneker/>.
Greene, Nick. "Benjamin Banneker Biography - First
African American Astronomer." Space & Astronomy at
About.com. The New York Times Company, n.d. Web.
19 Feb. 2012.
<http://http://space.about.com/od/astronomerbiogra
phies/a/bannekerbio.html