Grunge - Classic Rock, Music History, Pop Culture & Strange News

The Real Story Behind Stevie Wonder's Iconic 1981 Hit Happy Birthday

staff@grunge.com (Brian Boone) — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 01:37:00 +0000

Stevie Wonder's iconic 1981 hit "Happy Birthday" came from a dream and it was the catalyst for a federal holiday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Tragic Injury Harriet Tubman Never Recovered From

staff@grunge.com (Amy Beeman) — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Harriet Tubman is best known for helping enslaved people escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad, and she did so while suffering from a tragic injury.

Why Martin Luther King Jr. Almost Cut The Most Famous Part Of His I Have A Dream Speech

staff@grunge.com (Meg Hemphill) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 23:35:22 +0000

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have A Dream" speech at the March on Washington, but the famous line almost didn't make it in.

What It Was Like The Day Martin Luther King Jr. Died

staff@grunge.com (Pauli Poisuo) — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 15:30:15 +0000

The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, shocked and saddened the nation. On that day, as a nation mourned, speeches mingled with riots.

Here's What Happened To MLK Jr.'s Four Children And Only Grandchild

staff@grunge.com (S. Flannagan) — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 14:07:12 +0000

Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy didn't end with his assassination in 1968. Here's what happened to MLK Jr.'s four children and only grandchild.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Son, Dexter, Dead At 62 [UPGRADE]

staff@grunge.com (Andrew Amelinckx) — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 19:53:23 +0000

Martin Luther King Jr.'s son, Dexter, died on January 22, 2024, at age 62 from reported prostate cancer complications. Here's a look back at his life.

How Superman Defeated The Real-Life KKK: A Wild True Story

staff@grunge.com (Grunge Staff) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 15:00:23 +0000

This is the true story of how Superman leapt off the pages of Detective Comics and out of the radio waves to take on the ascendant KKK.

The Tragic Real-Life Story Of Dinah Washington

staff@grunge.com (DB Kelly) — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 10:30:38 +0000

Fondly remembered as the Queen of the Blues, Dinah Washington's angelic voice captivated audiences across the U.S. However, her life story is not so magical.

Tragic Details About Morgan Freeman

staff@grunge.com (Chandler Stark) — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 10:30:06 +0000

One of Hollywood's most recognizable actors and voices, the soft-spoken Morgan Freeman is adored by all. But his life and career have been far from easy.

Everything To Know About The Seven Symbols Of Kwanzaa

staff@grunge.com (DB Kelly) — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 01:46:27 +0000

The symbols and meaning folded into the holiday of Kwanzaa are rooted in age-old beliefs that make it a moving, beautiful tribute to African culture.

What It Was Like To Be At The March On Washington

staff@grunge.com (Genci Papraniku) — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 01:30:21 +0000

The March on Washington in 1963 was a watershed moment in American and Black history, changing the lives of many who were there.

What Is Blaxploitation?

staff@grunge.com (Andrew Amelinckx) — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:09:36 +0000

Blaxploitation films made a splash in the 1970s. Both revered and reviled for its portrayal of Black men and women, the genre faded but its influence persists.

Bayard Rustin's Relationship With MLK Explained

staff@grunge.com (Alice Bennett) — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 00:00:28 +0000

Bayard Rustin, who organized the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, had a complicated relationship with Martin Luther King Jr. Here's the story.

Who Was Hannah Crafts, One Of The First Known Black Female Novelists In America?

staff@grunge.com (S. Flannagan) — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 18:00:12 +0000

Hannah Crafts is considered to be one of the first known Black female novelists in the United States. Let's dive into her fascinating backstory.

Incredible True Stories Of Black Soldiers In The American Civil War

staff@grunge.com (Chandler Stark) — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 20:30:56 +0000

Often overlooked, Black soldiers were some of the most courageous participants of the American Civil war. These are a few of their incredible true stories.

Why Operation Underground Railroad Was Once Under Investigation

staff@grunge.com (S. Flannagan) — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 03:00:01 +0000

Tim Ballard's Operation Underground Railroad, an organization that works to rescue children from sex trafficking, was once under investigation.

Why The Harlem Ballroom Scene Was Important To The Black And Latinx LGBTQ+ Community

staff@grunge.com (William Kennedy) — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 23:00:47 +0000

The Harlem Ballroom Scene was and is important to the Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ community. Its cultural impact is also more ubiquitous than you may realize.

What MLK And Malcolm X Really Thought Of Each Other

staff@grunge.com (Andrew Amelinckx) — Sat, 13 May 2023 18:00:10 +0000

Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X were titans of the Civil Rights era. Here's what they really thought of each other.

Emmett Till Accuser Carolyn Bryant Faced Legal Battles Until The End Of Her Life

staff@grunge.com (William Kennedy) — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 20:55:59 +0000

In 1955, Donham, then Carolyn Bryant, told her husband, Roy Bryant, that 14-year-old Black boy Emmett Till sexually propositioned her in public.

Mildred And Richard Loving's Life After The Landmark Loving V. Virginia Case

staff@grunge.com (Andrew Amelinckx) — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 18:00:10 +0000

On June 12, 1967, in a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Virginia's Racial Integrity Act that banned interracial marriage.