Benjamin Banneker and His Legacy

The video discusses Benjamin Banneker, a self-taught inventor, mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor, highlighting his contributions to designing Washington D.C. and his advocacy against white supremacy. Banneker's achievements include building a wooden clock, predicting solar eclipses, and creating almanacs. He used his almanacs to challenge figures like Thomas Jefferson on issues of liberty and slavery. The video also reflects on recent events in American history, emphasizing Banneker's legacy and the irony of insurrectionists attacking a building designed by a black man and slaves.

When was Benjamin Banneker born?

• January 1, 1750

• December 25, 1740

• July 4, 1776

• November 9, 1731

What was one of Banneker's notable inventions?

• A telescope

• A steam engine

• A wooden clock

• A printing press

What did Banneker accurately predict?

• Lunar eclipses

• Solar eclipses

• Comet appearances

• Planetary alignments

How did Banneker use his almanacs as a form of protest?

• By including secret codes

• By writing letters challenging white supremacy

• By refusing to sell them to certain people

• By hiding messages in the illustrations

To whom did Banneker write a letter questioning their commitment to liberty?

• James Madison

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Adams

• George Washington

What role did Banneker play in the design of Washington DC?

• He was the chief architect

• He was a surveyor who mapped out the boundaries

• He designed the Capitol building

• He created the city's first map

What happened to the original plans for Washington DC?

• They were destroyed in a fire

• They were lost during a storm

• They were taken by Pierre L'Enfant

• They were never completed

How did Banneker contribute after the original plans were taken?

• He found the original plans

• He supervised the construction

• He designed new buildings

• He created new plans from memory

What recent event is mentioned in the reflection on Banneker's legacy?

• The unveiling of a Banneker statue

• The signing of a new civil rights act

• The storming of Capitol Hill

• The election of the first black president

What is highlighted about the people who stormed Capitol Hill?

• They were supporting a new education policy

• They carried symbols of anti-semitism, racism, and slavery

• They were advocating for environmental issues

• They were protesting for civil rights