The Many Forms of Resistance: Beyond Marches
Resistance encompasses more than just protests; it includes various forms of advocacy and engagement, particularly for those unable to march due to disabilities or health issues. Actions like writing, organizing, and caring are essential to sustaining movements. Every contribution, regardless of visibility, is vital to ongoing resistance and change.https://dreamspacestudio.net/the-many-forms-of-resistance-beyond-marches/
Today in History January 12 – A Look Back
Today in Raleigh & North Carolina History
January 12 may not be marked by a single defining moment in Raleigh’s story, but it offers a fascinating snapshot of how the city—and North Carolina more broadly—has evolved through education, politics, culture, and community life. From student activism at NC State to the once-powerful political role of a downtown hotel, today’s date reflects the layered history that continues to shape the City of Oaks.
Raleigh & North Carolina Historical Highlights
1923: A Window Into Student Life at North Carolina State University
On January 12, 1923, The Technician—NC State’s oldest student newspaper—published an issue that captured the social and political tensions of the era. Among routine campus updates were references to a student debate about the disbanding of the Ku Klux Klan, alongside humor sections that reveal the racial attitudes of the 1920s. Today, these archives serve as powerful reminders of how student voices have long reflected broader national struggles.
1953: Political Power at the Sir Walter Hotel
Beginning January 12, 1953, the historic Sir Walter Hotel hosted a Farmers Cooperative Exchange (FCX) sales conference. At the time, the Sir Walter was famously dubbed Raleigh’s “third house of the General Assembly,” as lawmakers often lived, negotiated, and shaped policy within its walls. Though the hotel no longer stands, its influence on mid-20th-century Raleigh politics remains significant.
Raleigh Origins & the January Context
The “City of Oaks” Vision (1792)
While Raleigh was officially incorporated in December, January was historically when early commissioners and surveyors—including William Christmas—were finalizing plans for the 1,000 acres purchased from Joel Lane to establish North Carolina’s capital.
Winter Weather in Raleigh
Mid-January is historically when Raleigh experiences its most notable winter weather. While January 12, 2026, brings no major storm, the city remembers several “January surprises,” including the Great Snow of 2000, which arrived just days later in the month.
Looking to connect history with what’s happening right now? Here’s what’s on today’s calendar:
Community Event: Dream and Create — a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at Cedar Fork Community Center, 6:30–8:00 PM
Civic Meeting: City of Raleigh Board of Adjustment meeting, 1:00 PM at the Raleigh Municipal Building
Cultural Exhibit: Then and Now history exhibit at Pullen Arts Center, highlighting the evolution of Raleigh’s local arts scene
Today in African American History – January 12
January 12 also marks several pivotal moments in African American history, spanning civil rights, arts, sports, and frontier legacy.
Legal & Educational Milestones
1948: In Sipuel v. Oklahoma State Board of Regents, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states must provide equal legal education opportunities for Black students—laying important groundwork for later desegregation cases.
1952: The University of Tennessee admitted its first Black students, continuing the momentum toward educational integration in the South.
Literature & Arts
1965: The world lost visionary playwright Lorraine Hansberry at just 34 years old. Best known for A Raisin in the Sun, she became the first Black woman to have a play performed on Broadway, forever shaping American theater and storytelling.
Sports & Cultural Icons
1944: Boxing legend Joe Frazier was born in Beaufort, South Carolina. An Olympic gold medalist and world heavyweight champion, “Smokin’ Joe” is remembered for his fierce rivalry with Muhammad Ali and his indelible mark on sports history.
Frontier History
1910: Legendary lawman Bass Reeves passed away. Born into slavery, Reeves became one of the most successful U.S. Deputy Marshals in history, arresting thousands of outlaws without ever being wounded.
Notable Birthdays
James Farmer (1920): Co-founder of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and a principal organizer of the 1961 Freedom Rides Dominique Wilkins (1960): NBA Hall of Famer known worldwide as the “Human Highlight Film”
Why January 12 Matters in Raleigh
From student activism and political power centers to cultural expression and civil rights milestones, January 12 reminds us that Raleigh’s story is built on everyday moments that collectively define who we are as a city and a community.
Looking for more events happening today? Explore more at DoRaleigh.com—your guide to Raleigh’s past, present, and what’s happening next.
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WVTM: ‘Remember to remember’: Alabama nonprofit strives to preserve civil rights stories amid funding cuts. “For the past seven years, [Reverend Lukata] Mjumbe and his team have traveled around Alabama, sharing lesser-known stories of the civil rights movement…. The consortium is at risk of losing its ability to share these stories after losing funding due to DOGE cuts.”
Great article about a courageous and inspiring young black woman, who challenged and changed America - though I thought I was well read on the history of that time, I'd never heard of her before. Finally she's getting the recognition she deserves. #civilrightshistory #civilrightsmovement #UShistory #womeninhistory
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20221211-barbara-johns-the-us-forgotten-civil-rights-hero
"Dr. Percy Lavon Julian was a trailblazing chemist whose discoveries improved and saved countless lives. The grandson of slaves, Julian grew up at a time when African Americans faced extraordinary obstacles. Yet Julian refused to let racism prevent him from becoming one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, as well as a leader in business and civil rights"
- www.pds.org
#BlackHistory #Blackscientists #civilrightshistory #BlackMastodon #BlackTwitter
Across town from #LittleRock Central HS in September 1957, a young Jerry Jones joined a mob of white students trying to block Black students from integrating the school.
Yes, that Jerry Jones
#BrownvBoard
#histodons #historians @histodons @politicalscience
#BLM #BlackMastodon
#academics
#civilrightshistory
@politicalscience @histodons
photo Straeter/AP
The untold school segregation story behind Bernie Sanders's 1963 arrest while a student at #UChicago - Chicago Reader
This is part of the long history of the 1954 #BrownvBoard #SCOTUS decision. In 1963, the civil rights group CORE protested segregated, inferior schools.
@histodons #histodons #civilrightshistory @History
#historians @politicalscience
Nicole Myers
Dennis Joiner
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Liette Gidlow, Ph.D.
Dr. Jessica Wranosky, Ph.D.
