1870 – The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, providing for Black suffrage. 1886 – The Southern League of Colored Base Ballists is founded, establishing the first Negro baseball league. 1903 – Jack Johnson defeated Denver Ed Martin to become the...

1862 – President Lincoln signed an act abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia. 1914 – Sculptor William Ellisworth Artis was born in Washington, North Carolina.     1915 – Biologist Ernest E. Just Receives Spingarn Medal for his pioneering work in cell...

1926 – Negro History Week Begins. What is now known as Black History Month, was first celebrated on this date as Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson. It became a month long celebration in 1976.     1865 – John Sweat Rock, a doctor, lawyer and abolitionist from...

1871 – Jefferson Franklin Long  becomes first Black person to speak in the House of Representatives. A politician from Georgia, he was the second African American sworn into the US House of Representatives. He spoke in opposition to the Amnesty Bill which exempted former confederates...

1914 – Boxer Jersey Joe Walcott born in Merchantville, New Jersey. Walcott defeated Ezzard Charles via knockout in the 7th round of their July 18, 1951 title bout in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to win the World Heavyweight Championship. After retiring from boxing, Walcott refereed several...

1865 – Thirteenth Constitutional Amendment passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.  The amendment was ratified by the required number of states on December 6, 1865. The vote in the House...

1844 – Richard Theodore Greener born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Greener becomes the first African American to graduate from Harvard University, receiving a degree in a bachelor’s degree in 1870. His admission to Harvard was “an experiment” by the administration and...

   1954 – Oprah Winfrey birthday American television personality whose syndicated daily talk show is among the most popular was born in Kosciusko, Miss. 1926 – Violette Neatley Anderson Violette Neatley Anderson is the first African American woman admitted to practice...

    1944 – Matthew Henson receives a joint medal by Congress Matthew Henson receives a joint medal by Congress for his role as co-discoverer of the North Pole 1934 – Baseball Outfielder William “Bill” White born Baseball outfielder William “Bill”...

    Ralph Ellison’s powerful novel, Invisible Man, wins the National Book Award. Ralph Ellison’s powerful novel, Invisible Man, wins the National Book Award. 1972 – Mahalia Jackson Gospel music legend Mahalia Jackson dies this day in Evergreen Park,...

 1948 – Executive Order 9981, to end segregation in US Armed Forces is signed by Preside Executive Order 9981, to end segregation in US Armed Forces is signed by President Harry Truman 1893 – First Black American woman aviator, Bessie Coleman was born, 1893 First Black American...

    1962 – Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Jackie Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. 1993 – Thurgood Marshall, dies First Black Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, dies, 1993 1949 – Birthday of Aaron Neville,...

    1964 – 24th Amendment The 24th Amendment to the US Constitution is ratified. It abolishes poll tax, which was used as a means of preventing african americans from voting 1977 – ABC-TV begins televising the Roots mini-series (which would go on to be the most ABC-TV...

    1931 – Sam Cook, Father of Soul Music, born. Singer Sam Cook, the son of a minister and believed by many to be the first father of soul music, was born in Chicago, Illinois. Cook began his singing career with a gospel group known as the Singing Children. His fame came in...

    1964 – Carl T. Rowan named director of the United States Information Agency. 1906 – Willam Brown-Chappell was born Pioneer aviator, Willam Brown-Chappell was born, 1906 1773 – Phillis Wheatley freed Poet Phillis Wheatley, born a slave in 1754, was freed and her...

    2001 – First Black Secretary of State Colin Luther Powell is sworn in by President George W. Bush as Secretary of State. He is the first black secretary of state in U.S. history. 1977 – William T. Coleman Steps down as Secretary of Transportation On this date William...

    1870 – Hiram Rhodes Revels elected senator Hiram Rhodes Revels elected senator (from Mississippi), becoming the first Black US Senator in the US 1936 – Barbara Jordan was born Congresswoman, Barbara Jordan was born, 1936 1947 – Josh Gibson Baseball’s Josh...

    On January 18, 1958, Willie O’Ree became the first Black player to appear in a National Hockey League game. After numerous injuries suffered by Boston Bruins players, O’Ree was called up from the minor leagues to play against the Montreal Canadians. O’Ree...

    1858 – Daniel Hale Williams born Daniel Hale Williams, 1st physician to perform open heart surgery is...

   1942 – Muhammad Ali  born Boxing champion, Muhammad Ali was born 1923 – Spingarn Award: George Washington Carver Spingarn Medal awarded to George Washington Carver, head of the department of research, Tuskegee Institute, for his pioneering work in agricultural...