The Colored Citizen facts for kids

Colored Citizen and The Colored Citizen were names used by several newspapers in the United States. These papers were created for African Americans, sharing news and ideas important to their communities. The first one appeared in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1867, during a time called the Reconstruction era. This was a period after the Civil War when the country was rebuilding, and African Americans were gaining new rights. Many of these "Colored Citizen" papers were published for only a short time.

African American Newspapers: The Colored Citizen

African American newspapers were very important. They gave Black communities a voice when other newspapers often ignored or misrepresented them. These papers shared news, opinions, and information about important events. They also helped connect people and support the fight for equal rights.

Early "Colored Citizen" Newspapers

Several newspapers used the name "Colored Citizen." They were published in different cities across the United States.

Cincinnati's "Colored Citizen"

• The Colored Citizen in Cincinnati, Ohio, started in 1863.
• It was one of only two African American newspapers created during the Civil War.
• This paper focused on the interests of African Americans fighting in the war.
• It was also known as the "Soldier's Organ."
• John P. Sampson published it, and it stopped in 1865.

Mississippi's First Black Newspapers

Mississippi saw some of the earliest "Colored Citizen" papers.

• The Colored Citizen in Vicksburg, Mississippi, began in 1867.
• It was the first newspaper for African Americans in Mississippi.
• Henry Mason, a Black community leader, started this paper.
• Another paper, Colored Citizen (Jackson), started in 1870.
• It was published in Jackson, Mississippi, by James D. Lynch.
• This was the third Black newspaper to be created in Mississippi.

"Colored Citizen" Papers Across the Nation

Newspapers with this name appeared in many other states too.

• Colored Citizen (Fort Scott) was published in Fort Scott and Topeka, Kansas.
• The Eagleson Brothers published it from 1878 to 1880.
• In 1884, a Colored Citizen (Montgomery) was published in Montgomery, Alabama.
• The Colored Citizen (Helena) was a newspaper for African Americans in Helena, Montana. It was published in 1894.
• The Colored Citizen (Pensacola) was an African American newspaper in Pensacola.
• It was published from 1914, possibly until 1958 or even 1965.
• Colored Citizen (Topeka) was published in Topeka, Kansas. It ran from 1897 to about 1900.
• In 1913, The Colored Citizen (Lexington) was published in Lexington, Kentucky.
• A new newspaper called The Colored Citizen started in Bakersfield, California, in 1914.