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# Math movie: The exceptional life of Benjamin Banneker

By Murray Bourne, 19 Feb 2017

The exceptional life of Benjamin Banneker tells the story of the son of a former slave father and a free African American mother. Banneker was largely self-educated in astronomy and mathematics.

He assisted in surveying the site of Washington DC, and exchanged letters with president Thomas Jefferson asking him to ensure racial equality.

Banneker built a wooden clock, and taught himself astronomy, accurately predicting solar and lunar eclipses.

Image source

He wrote a series of popular almanacs containing some of his calculations and tidal information.

On with the short video, by TED-Ed.

To conclude, here's a great quote by Banneker:

The colour of the skin is in no way connected with strength of the mind or intellectual powers.

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