Bessie Smith (1913 - 1976)

Bessie's immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Smith family tree.

Bessie's Family

Add a parent

Add a parent

Bessie Smith Add a partner Add a child Add a partner Add a child

Add a sibling

We currently do not have photos of Bessie Smith. Below are potential family photos that share Bessie's last name or surname. Pictures really do say a thousand words. Add photos of Bessie during various points of her life

Smith family

Elizabeth Beker Pope

Florence Smith

Sandra Elaine (Smith) Stoddert

Tyeron D Smith

Edward c smith walking daughter Coreen smith down isle at wedding 1974

Edith Eliza Reynolds Smith

Edith Eliza Reynolds Smith

Edith Eliza Reynolds Smith

Edith Eliza Reynolds Smith

Edith Eliza Reynolds Smith

Edith Eliza Reynolds Smith

Steven R. Smith

Johnny Wayne Smith

Norwood Smith

Add photo

What do you remember about Bessie Smith? Share your memories of special moments and stories you have heard about her. Or just leave a comment to show the world that Bessie is remembered.

Post

Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Bessie's lifetime

In 1913, in the year that Bessie Smith was born, the Philippine–American War ended for good in June. While the official end of the war was in 1902, fighting continued for several years. An estimated 200,000 to 250,000 total Filipino civilians died and although the U.S. viewed its role as a colonial presence as one of preparing the Philippines for independence, American colonization drastically changed the character off the culture. The Catholic Church was no longer the state religion and English became the primary language of the government.

In 1927, by the time she was only 14 years old, 10 years after the United States bought the U.S. Virgin Islands from the Danish government, the inhabitants were granted U.S. citizenship. While they can vote in congressional elections and presidential primaries, they cannot vote for President.

In 1946, Bessie was 33 years old when pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock's book "The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care" was published. It sold half a million copies in the first six months. Aside from the Bible, it became the best selling book of the 20th century. A generation of Baby Boomers were raised by the advice of Dr. Spock.

In 1968, when she was 55 years old, on January 31st, the North Vietnamese launched the Tet Offensive, a turning point in the Vietnam War. 70,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces swarmed into South Vietnam. The South Vietnamese and US troops held off the offensive but it was such fierce fighting that the U.S. public began to turn against the war.

In 1976, in the year of Bessie Smith's passing, The United States celebrated the Bicentennial of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. It was a year long celebration, with the biggest events taking place on July 4th.