In 1891, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams founded Provident Hospital, the first African-American hospital in the country. Two years later, Hale performed the first successful heart surgery at the Chicago facility.

In 1964, Constance Motley was elected New York state's first black female senator. She later served as Manhattan borough president and a U.S. district judge appointed by President Lyndon Johnson.

These little-known nuggets can be found in Brain Quest's Black History set, a teaching aid that can be used for Black History Month in February. The 850 questions and answers were written by Barbara Ellis, a member of the United Federation of Teachers in New York City, and an instructor in New York State United Teachers' Effective Teaching Program. Published by Workman, the set is printed on 21Ú2-by-7-inch cards.

The cards may be used as a teaching tool across the curriculum. Ellis said the questions are aligned to the standards with an emphasis on geography to show the global impact of African-Americans.

Brain Quest sets are available at bookstores, or contact Workman Publishing Co., 708 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003-9555; visit www.workman.com, or call (800) 722-7202.

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