Printing
PORS ROG
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Baltimore ’ s civil rights history and the newspaper that documented it .
By Dr . Frances “ Toni ” Murphy Draper and Savannah G . M . Wood
Baltimore — our unassuming mid-sized city nestled along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay — consistently punches above its weight when it comes to nationally significant history . Many of us learned in grade school about Baltimore ’ s role in the War of 1812 and its place of honor as the site where the American flag that inspired “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” was sewn . But Baltimore ’ s Black history , particularly its role as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement , is not as widely known .
Governor Wes Moore declared 2024 Maryland ’ s Year of Civil Rights , marking 60 years since the Civil Rights Act was signed in 1964 . But well before then , reaching all the way back to the 1890s , one of Baltimore ’ s most influential historical publications was already advocating for and documenting Black residents ’ fight for civil rights .
The People ’ s Paper
The AFRO ’ s Role in the Civil Rights Movement
The AFRO American Newspaper was founded in 1892 in Baltimore . In 1897 , John H . Murphy , Sr ., a formerly enslaved Civil War veteran , purchased the paper ’ s name and printing press at an auction with $ 200 borrowed from his wife Martha . Since then , the paper has been owned and operated by John and Martha
Above : AFRO founders John H . Murphy , Sr . and Martha E . H . Murphy are seen with their five sons and five daughters , as well as other family members on Christmas Day . Right : John E . Murphy , Sr . and his five sons .
30 BALTIMORE . ORG