Civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois passed away on this day in Accra, Ghana in 1963.
Du Bois began his quest for equality as the spearheader of the Niagara Movement; a collection of African Americans fighting for equal rights for blacks.
Later, Du Bois began to widen his scope by organizing the Pan-African Congresses which aimed to enable African countries to become independent from white colonial powers.
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In 1915, Du Bois published the first book on a general history of black Africans titled, The Negro. The book rebutted claims of African inferiority and predicted unity and solidarity for black people around the world. It influenced many who supported the Pan-African movement.
Du Bois exchanged letters with African leaders prior to his relocation to the continent.
While visiting Ghana, Du Bois showed interest in creating an encyclopedia for the African diaspora called the Encyclopedia Africana. He shared his dream with other African leaders including Emperor Haile Selassie.
In October 1961, Du Bois was invited again to manage the encyclopedia project in Ghana and he obliged. He and his wife, Shirley Graham Du Bois relocated to Ghana and even announced plans to renounce their American citizenship but did not.
On August 27, 1963, he died at the age of 95. He was given a state funeral that lasted from August 29 to 30 and he was buried at the Christiansborg Castle in Osu.
To celebrate his legacy, Face2Face Africa shares with you 10 of his greatest quotes.
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