Today in History: Althea Gibson & Tennis

Althea Gibson, of New York, reaching high for shot during women's singles semifinal match against Christine Truman, of England, in All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon, England, July 4, 1957
Today in History–July 6–the Library of Congress features Althea Gibson, who won the women’s singles title at Wimbledon  on this date in 1957. This tennis star fought hard against racism just for the right to compete. In addition to more Wimbledon singles and doubles titles, Gibson won U.S. Nationals titles as well as French and Italian Open titles. Find out more about this fantastic athlete in the Today in History section, then click the links below to access portraits of Althea Gibson and primary sources related to the sport of tennis.

Althea Gibson won the women’s singles title at Wimbledon from America’s Library

Althea Gibson Points the Way Picture This March 27, 2014

Althea Gibson portraits

Althea Gibson historical newspaper coverage

Legislation related to Althea Gibson

Library blog posts

Tennis primary source set

Tennis images

Tennis sheet music

Tennis books & manuals

Tennis historical newspaper coverage

Periodical articles

  • Lawn Tennis” The Century; a popular quarterly Volume 23, Issue 4, Feb 1882
  • A Lesson in Tennis” poem from The Century; a popular quarterly Volume 30, Issue 4, Aug 1885
  • Form In Lawn Tennis” Scribner’s Magazine Volume 6, Issue 2, August, 1889
  • Court TennisScribner’s Magazine Volume 9, Issue 1, January, 1891

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