STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

This Day in Black History: June 15, 1877

The first African-American cadet graduated from West Point Academy.

Although West Point — the first military school in America — was founded by Congress in 1802, the first African-American cadet would not graduate from the academy for more than half a century.

On June 15, 1977, former slave Henry Ossian Flipper graduated from West Point with the ranking of second lieutenant in the all-African-American 10th Cavalry.

While he was not the first Black cadet in the school — James Webster Smith was admitted in 1870 but did not graduate -- Flipper spent four years at the academy and was never greeted or spoken to by a white cadet the entire time.

The prejudice at West Point coincided with racist and sexist bias within the American military, which on some levels is still prevalent today. However, the Academy is now fully integrated with women and men of all races with an enrollment of more than 4,000 students.

Follow Dominique Zonyeé on Twitter/Instagram: @DominiqueZonyee

BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.  

Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Mary J. BligeMaxwellJill ScottA$AP RockyRick Ross and many more. Click here for more details and info on how to purchase tickets.

(Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.