We know it's not Tuesday, but as February comes to a close, we'd like to feature some vintage that celebrates black history in America. The shirts we sell have fascinating stories behind them, and we always strive to make those stories known. For some of these, you may already know the story:
Kacy World Colors manufactured black history related shirts such as this one in the 1990s. These oversize printed tees feature prominent historical figures including Martin Luther King, Jr, Nelson Mandela, Sojourner Truth, and Elijah Muhammad. They tend to have slogans on them such as "There is no history without black history" and "Great heroines".
Kacy World Colors was similar to Cross Colors, another clothing brand that emerged in the 90s that was marketed to black youth and aimed to create clothing with sociopolitical messages.
Juneteenth is recognized as an official holiday in 45 states across the US. The state of Texas was the first to make it official in 1980. Other states followed in suit and, as of 2019, all but a handful of states officially recognize Juneteenth. What is it? Juneteenth is a yearly celebration of the end of slavery in the Confederate states in 1865.
The Tuskegee Airmen consisted of the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. They were a group of black servicemen and other personnel (including nurses, cooks, mechanics, and instructors) who fought in the war.
The servicemen were the first black aviators in the US, and they served at a time when segregation was still heavily present in daily and military life, and Jim Crow laws continued to hang over most states. They are celebrated today with several high honors, memorials, and a place in the International Air & Space Hall of Fame.
Have an interest in recent pop culture history? Check out our website and find your new favorite shirt with a great story behind it!