Jerry Mitchell
@jmitchellnews.bsky.social
Leading investigative reporting team at Mississippi Today. Stories helped put 4 KKK members & serial killer behind bars. Author, Race Against Time.
#OnThisDay in 1898, editor Alexander Manly escaped a lynch mob in Wilmington NC. The mob of 1,500 burned down his Daily Record, the state’s only daily Black newspaper. The mob then killed hundreds of Black residents and seized control of the local government.
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1898: Alexander Manly escapes lynch mob - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1898, editor Alexander Manly escaped a lynch mob for his commentary challenging negative racial stereotypes.
mississippitoday.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
#OnThisDay in 1898, editor Alexander Manly escaped a lynch mob in Wilmington NC. The mob of 1,500 burned down his Daily Record, the state’s only daily Black newspaper. The mob then killed hundreds of Black residents and seized control of the local government.
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/10/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/10/1...
#OnThisDay in 1968, singer James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” hit #1 on the R&B charts for a record 6th week with “Say It Loud — I’m Black and I’m Proud (Part 1).” Brown saw 17 singles go to #1. He became an inaugural member of the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame.
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/09/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/09/1...
November 9, 2025 at 1:16 PM
#OnThisDay in 1968, singer James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” hit #1 on the R&B charts for a record 6th week with “Say It Loud — I’m Black and I’m Proud (Part 1).” Brown saw 17 singles go to #1. He became an inaugural member of the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame.
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/09/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/09/1...
#OnThisDay in 1955, 6 months after George Lee was killed for leading Black citizens to try and register to vote, Gus Courts led 22 to do the same. He was shot, but survived, calling himself an American refugee from terror, "all because we wanted to vote.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/08/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/08/1...
1955: Gus Courts leads Black voters in Belzoni - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1955, six months after nightriders killed civil rights leader the Rev. George Lee, Gus Courts led 22 Black citizens to vote in Belzoni.
mississippitoday.org
November 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
#OnThisDay in 1955, 6 months after George Lee was killed for leading Black citizens to try and register to vote, Gus Courts led 22 to do the same. He was shot, but survived, calling himself an American refugee from terror, "all because we wanted to vote.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/08/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/08/1...
#OnThisDay in 1837, abolitionist editor Elijah P. Lovejoy was assassinated by a pro-slavery mob. He is considered the first martyr for freedom of the press in America. He had pushed for the end of lynchings of Black Americans and the abolition of slavery.
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mississippitoday.org/2024/11/07/o...
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
#OnThisDay in 1837, abolitionist editor Elijah P. Lovejoy was assassinated by a pro-slavery mob. He is considered the first martyr for freedom of the press in America. He had pushed for the end of lynchings of Black Americans and the abolition of slavery.
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/07/o...
mississippitoday.org/2024/11/07/o...
#OnThisDay in 1869, Klansmen kidnapped and savagely beat Georgia legislator Abram Colby, leaving him for dead. In 1869, the KKK offered him a bribe to not run for re-election. He refused & they beat him. It was one of many acts of violence during Reconstruction.
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/29/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/29/1...
October 29, 2025 at 12:57 PM
#OnThisDay in 1869, Klansmen kidnapped and savagely beat Georgia legislator Abram Colby, leaving him for dead. In 1869, the KKK offered him a bribe to not run for re-election. He refused & they beat him. It was one of many acts of violence during Reconstruction.
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/29/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/29/1...
#OnThisDay in 1926, Chuck Berry, “The Father of Rock & Roll,” was born in St. Louis. Recorded “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven!” & “Rock and Roll Music,” which influenced Beatles & others. (Can't post on Blue Sky in MS. It's blocked.)
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mississippitoday.org/2024/10/18/1...
October 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
#OnThisDay in 1926, Chuck Berry, “The Father of Rock & Roll,” was born in St. Louis. Recorded “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven!” & “Rock and Roll Music,” which influenced Beatles & others. (Can't post on Blue Sky in MS. It's blocked.)
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/18/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/18/1...
100 years ago today, B.B King, “The King of the Blues,” was born on a plantation near Itta Bena, Mississippi.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the greatest civilian honor.
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/16/1...
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the greatest civilian honor.
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/16/1...
September 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM
100 years ago today, B.B King, “The King of the Blues,” was born on a plantation near Itta Bena, Mississippi.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the greatest civilian honor.
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/16/1...
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the greatest civilian honor.
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/16/1...
#OnThisDay in 1963, the KKK planted a bomb inside the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, killing 4 young girls, Denise McNair, Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley and Carole Robertson. The bombing became a turning point in the civil rights movement.
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/15/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/15/1...
1963: Klan bombs 16th Street Baptist Church - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1963, Klansmen planted a bomb inside the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, that killed four young girls and blinded a fifth.
mississippitoday.org
September 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
#OnThisDay in 1963, the KKK planted a bomb inside the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, killing 4 young girls, Denise McNair, Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley and Carole Robertson. The bombing became a turning point in the civil rights movement.
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/15/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/09/15/1...
#OnThisDay in 1964, Fannie Lou Hamer testified before the DNC’s credentials committee about violence against Black Mississippians who tried to vote. Her testimony ran on all the networks. “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
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mississippitoday.org/2024/08/22/1...
1964: Fannie Lou Hamer testifies at DNC - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1964, Fannie Lou Hamer testified before the Democratic National Convention’s (DNC) credentials committee.
mississippitoday.org
August 22, 2025 at 11:45 AM
#OnThisDay in 1964, Fannie Lou Hamer testified before the DNC’s credentials committee about violence against Black Mississippians who tried to vote. Her testimony ran on all the networks. “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/22/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/22/1...
#OnThisDay in 1781, Elizabeth Freeman successfully sued for her freedom in Massachusetts after hearing that all people were born free and equal. Her case helped lead the Massachusetts Supreme Court to declare slavery was incompatible with the state constitution.
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mississippitoday.org/2023/08/21/o...
1781: Elizabeth Freeman, a slave, sued for her freedom - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1781, more than 80 years before the Emancipation Proclamation, Elizabeth Freeman sued for her freedom from slavery.
mississippitoday.org
August 21, 2025 at 12:31 PM
#OnThisDay in 1781, Elizabeth Freeman successfully sued for her freedom in Massachusetts after hearing that all people were born free and equal. Her case helped lead the Massachusetts Supreme Court to declare slavery was incompatible with the state constitution.
mississippitoday.org/2023/08/21/o...
mississippitoday.org/2023/08/21/o...
#OnThisDay in 1619, 20+ Africans, kidnapped by Portuguese forces, landed in Point Comfort VA on an English ship, the 1st recorded Africans to arrive in England’s American colonies. By the time slavery ended, nearly 15M Africans had landed in the Americas.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/20/1...
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August 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
#OnThisDay in 1619, 20+ Africans, kidnapped by Portuguese forces, landed in Point Comfort VA on an English ship, the 1st recorded Africans to arrive in England’s American colonies. By the time slavery ended, nearly 15M Africans had landed in the Americas.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/20/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/20/1...
#OnThisDay in 1958, the NAACP Youth Council in Oklahoma City, led by Clara Luper, began sit-ins to challenge the all-white lunch counters at Katz. Days later, Katz desegregated lunch counters. In all, she was arrested 26 times for her protests.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/19/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/19/1...
1958: Clara Luper leads Oklahoma's first sit-in - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1958, high school history teacher Clara Luper led the first sit-in in Oklahoma to challenge all-white lunch counters.
mississippitoday.org
August 19, 2025 at 1:08 PM
#OnThisDay in 1958, the NAACP Youth Council in Oklahoma City, led by Clara Luper, began sit-ins to challenge the all-white lunch counters at Katz. Days later, Katz desegregated lunch counters. In all, she was arrested 26 times for her protests.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/19/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/19/1...
#OnThisDay in 1963, when James Meredith became 1st Black student to graduate from the University of Mississippi, NAACP lawyer Constance Baker Motley cheered him. She shepherded his successful admission through courts. 1st Black female to serve as federal judge. mississippitoday.org/2023/08/18/1...
August 18, 2025 at 12:27 PM
#OnThisDay in 1963, when James Meredith became 1st Black student to graduate from the University of Mississippi, NAACP lawyer Constance Baker Motley cheered him. She shepherded his successful admission through courts. 1st Black female to serve as federal judge. mississippitoday.org/2023/08/18/1...
#OnThisDay in 1959, innovative trumpeter Miles Davis released his album, “Kind of Blue,” profoundly influencing jazz, rock & classical music. Many critics regard it as the most outstanding jazz album ever released. Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/17/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/17/1...
August 17, 2025 at 12:35 PM
#OnThisDay in 1959, innovative trumpeter Miles Davis released his album, “Kind of Blue,” profoundly influencing jazz, rock & classical music. Many critics regard it as the most outstanding jazz album ever released. Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/17/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/17/1...
#OnThisDay in 1938, legendary bluesman Robert Johnson died at 27. Legend has it that he went to a Mississippi Delta crossroads and sold his soul to the devil in exchange for playing guitar. His blues helped inspire the R&B & rock'n'roll that followed.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/16/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/16/1...
1938: Bluesman Robert Johnson dies - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1938, legendary bluesman Robert Johnson died mysteriously at the age of 27. His burial also remains a mystery.
mississippitoday.org
August 16, 2025 at 12:58 PM
#OnThisDay in 1938, legendary bluesman Robert Johnson died at 27. Legend has it that he went to a Mississippi Delta crossroads and sold his soul to the devil in exchange for playing guitar. His blues helped inspire the R&B & rock'n'roll that followed.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/16/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/16/1...
Best-selling author Greg Iles died today. He was an absolute ball of fire, a mind that went from 0 to 90 in just a few seconds. I will definitely miss him!
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mississippitoday.org/2025/08/15/a...
August 16, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Best-selling author Greg Iles died today. He was an absolute ball of fire, a mind that went from 0 to 90 in just a few seconds. I will definitely miss him!
mississippitoday.org/2025/08/15/a...
mississippitoday.org/2025/08/15/a...
#OnThisDay in 1906, the Niagara Movement, forerunner to NAACP, called for enforcement of 13th-15th Amendments: “The Negro race in America ... needs help and is given hindrance, needs protection and is given mob-violence ... needs bread and is given a stone.” mississippitoday.org/2024/08/15/1...
August 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
#OnThisDay in 1906, the Niagara Movement, forerunner to NAACP, called for enforcement of 13th-15th Amendments: “The Negro race in America ... needs help and is given hindrance, needs protection and is given mob-violence ... needs bread and is given a stone.” mississippitoday.org/2024/08/15/1...
#OnThisDay in 1908, about 5,000 white men in Springfield, Illinois, wanted to lynch two Black men in jail. When the mob discovered the men had been moved, they began to terrorize Black Americans & their supporters, killing 16+. Massacre inspired NAACP's creation.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/14/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/14/1...
August 14, 2025 at 11:59 AM
#OnThisDay in 1908, about 5,000 white men in Springfield, Illinois, wanted to lynch two Black men in jail. When the mob discovered the men had been moved, they began to terrorize Black Americans & their supporters, killing 16+. Massacre inspired NAACP's creation.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/14/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/14/1...
#OnThisDay in 1954, Lamar Smith, a WWI veteran who organized Black Americans to vote, was shot dead on the courthouse lawn in Brookhaven, Mississippi. An all-white grand jury refused to indict, despite the fact the sheriff saw the killer covered in blood.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/13/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/13/1...
August 13, 2025 at 11:37 AM
#OnThisDay in 1954, Lamar Smith, a WWI veteran who organized Black Americans to vote, was shot dead on the courthouse lawn in Brookhaven, Mississippi. An all-white grand jury refused to indict, despite the fact the sheriff saw the killer covered in blood.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/13/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/13/1...
#OnThisDay in 1932, comedian & civil rights activist Dick Gregory was born in St. Louis. 1st Black comic to talk on “Tonight Show.” When he heard surplus food was cut off to Mississippi Delta in 1963, he sent 14K lbs of food. Arrested w/ protesters in Greenwood.
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/12/o...
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August 12, 2025 at 11:43 AM
#OnThisDay in 1932, comedian & civil rights activist Dick Gregory was born in St. Louis. 1st Black comic to talk on “Tonight Show.” When he heard surplus food was cut off to Mississippi Delta in 1963, he sent 14K lbs of food. Arrested w/ protesters in Greenwood.
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/12/o...
mississippitoday.org/2024/10/12/o...
#OnThisDay in 1921, Alex Haley, the author of “Roots” and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”, was born in Ithaca NY. His interview with Malcolm X became a highly regarded 1965 book on the civil rights leader before he experienced the immense success of “Roots.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/11/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/11/1...
August 11, 2025 at 11:45 AM
#OnThisDay in 1921, Alex Haley, the author of “Roots” and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”, was born in Ithaca NY. His interview with Malcolm X became a highly regarded 1965 book on the civil rights leader before he experienced the immense success of “Roots.”
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/11/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/11/1...
#OnThisDay in 1920, Mamie Smith sang “Crazy Blues,” detailing the “outrage by a woman driven mad by mistreatment,” music critic David Hajdu wrote in the NYT. The song popularized the blues, selling 2M+ copies and paving the way for other Black female performers.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/10/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/10/1...
August 10, 2025 at 12:41 PM
#OnThisDay in 1920, Mamie Smith sang “Crazy Blues,” detailing the “outrage by a woman driven mad by mistreatment,” music critic David Hajdu wrote in the NYT. The song popularized the blues, selling 2M+ copies and paving the way for other Black female performers.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/10/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/10/1...
#OnThisDay in 1936, Jesse Owens won his 4th gold medal as part of the 4×100-meter relay team. The success of him and other Black athletes defeated Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s plans to showcase “Aryan superiority.” mississippitoday.org/2024/08/09/1...
1936: Jesse Owens wins 4th gold medal - Mississippi Today
On this day in 1936, Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal as a member of the 4x100-meter relay team that set a world record of 39.8 seconds.
mississippitoday.org
August 9, 2025 at 1:52 PM
#OnThisDay in 1936, Jesse Owens won his 4th gold medal as part of the 4×100-meter relay team. The success of him and other Black athletes defeated Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s plans to showcase “Aryan superiority.” mississippitoday.org/2024/08/09/1...
#OnThisDay in 1925, 30,000 KKK members marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. The group reached 4M, tapping into fears surrounding immigration. The states with the most members were IN, OH, TX, PA, IL, OK & NY & even served in legislatures.
mississippitoday.org/2023/08/08/1...
mississippitoday.org/2023/08/08/1...
1925: Ku Klux Klan marches in D.C.
On this day in 1925, in a show of force, thousands of Ku Klux Klan members marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.
mississippitoday.org
August 8, 2025 at 12:28 PM
#OnThisDay in 1925, 30,000 KKK members marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. The group reached 4M, tapping into fears surrounding immigration. The states with the most members were IN, OH, TX, PA, IL, OK & NY & even served in legislatures.
mississippitoday.org/2023/08/08/1...
mississippitoday.org/2023/08/08/1...
#OnThisDay in 1904, diplomat Ralph Bunche was born in Detroit. He was a member of the “Black Cabinet,” which #FDR consulted on minority issues. He negotiated the 1948 armistice agreements between Israel & Arab states. Received Nobel Peace Prize.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/07/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/07/1...
August 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
#OnThisDay in 1904, diplomat Ralph Bunche was born in Detroit. He was a member of the “Black Cabinet,” which #FDR consulted on minority issues. He negotiated the 1948 armistice agreements between Israel & Arab states. Received Nobel Peace Prize.
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/07/1...
mississippitoday.org/2024/08/07/1...