Issue #938 Today In Black History, Monday, October 6, 2025
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The Colored Hockey League (CHL) of the Maritimes in Canada was established in 1895 and continued until 1930. The CHL was a significant cultural movement that challenged racial barriers and contributed to the broader civil rights discourse in North America.
The CHL, the only all-Black men’s ice hockey league in Canada, was founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia, by a group of Black Baptists and intellectuals who sought to use hockey as a means to promote community pride and unity while fighting against racial discrimination. The League quickly expanded to Prince Edward Island and other locations in Nova Scotia. The CHL provided African Canadians a platform to showcase their talents and challenge prevailing stereotypes.
The CHL’s existence pre-dated the formation of the National Hockey League (NHL) by over two decades, and its impact on the sport remains profound. Championship matches attracted multiracial crowds, with journalists reporting on the fast-paced and rule-bending hockey games that influenced how the sport evolved in subsequent years.
The league is credited with several innovations that have become integral to modern hockey. For instance, Eddie Martin, a star player in the CHL, is often credited with introducing the slap shot, a technique now ubiquitous in the game.
Beyond the rink, the CHL served as a beacon of social progress and empowerment for Black communities in Canada. It provided an avenue for athletes to gain recognition and respect with teams like the Halifax Eurekas, the Africville Sea-Sides, and the Dartmouth Jubilees that became symbols of resilience and excellence.
The league demonstrated that Black athletes could excel in what was then considered a predominantly white sport, thereby challenging the racial hierarchies of the time. The CHL also attracted diverse audiences, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and shared enthusiasm for the game.
In recent years, efforts have been made to recognize and honor the contributions of the CHL and its players. Authors like George and Darril Fosty have chronicled the league’s history in their book “Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895-1925,” bringing the story to a wider audience.
The CHL is now celebrated as an essential part of Canadian heritage. Its players and their achievements are commemorated in museums and public discussions, ensuring that the history of the CHL is not forgotten.
Today In Black History
In 1865, barely six months after the end of the Civil War and two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, the Fisk School, named after General Clinton B. Fisk of the Tennessee Freedmen’s Bureau, was established. Fisk convened its first classes on January 9, 1866, with students ranging in age from seven to seventy years old.
In 1871, the Fisk Jubilee Singers began the first around-the-world tour by a musical act, which resulted in the city of Nashville getting the name “Music City.”
In 1895, Black inventor W.D. Davis received a patent for an improved horse riding saddle.
In 1983, Wilma Rudolph, the first American woman to win three Olympic Gold Medals in track and field in one year, was inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame.
In 1993, Dr. Mae Carol Jemison, the first Black woman to travel in space, was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
In 2023, American artistic gymnast Simone Biles won the all-around gold at the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, becoming the most decorated gymnast in history with 34 World and Olympic medals.
October is my birthday month, and I will be 75 years old this month!
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IMPRESSIVE! Worth listening to twice
Veronica.