July 12, 2023
On this day in 1967, the Newark Rebellion started
On this day, July 12, in 1967, tension between police and residents in Newark, New Jersey, boiled over in what is now…
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On This Day in History
July 11, 2023
On this day in 1905, W.E.B. Du Bois founded the Niagara Movement
On this day (July 11) in 1905, W.E.B. Du Bois founded the Niagara Movement to aggressively petition for civil rights for African-Americans.…
July 7, 2023
On this day in 1972, WNBA icon Lisa Leslie was born
At 6'5", according to the WNBA, the former Los Angeles Sparks center is considered to be "one of the most dynamic, popular…
July 6, 2023
On this day in 1971, jazz icon Louis Armstrong passed away
Jazz icon Louis Armstrong passed away on this day 52 years ago, on July 6, 1971. Born on August 4, 1901, in…
July 4, 2023
On this day in 1881, Booker T. Washington founded Tuskegee University
On July 4, 1881, educator and activist Booker T. Washington founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, known today as Tuskegee University,…
July 3, 2023
On this day in 1861, boxer Peter “The Prince” Jackson was born
On July 3, 1861, boxer Peter “The Prince” Jackson was born in Saint Croix. After moving to Australia as a child, Jackson…
June 23, 2023
Twenty years ago today, the first Black mayor of Atlanta, Maynard Jackson, passed away
Twenty years ago today, June 23, 2003, the first Black mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, Maynard Jackson, passed away at age 65. Born…
June 21, 2023
On this day in 1832, Joseph Rainey, the first African American to serve in the House of Representatives, was born
Joseph Rainey was born on June 21, 1832. He was the first African American to serve in the United States House of…
June 20, 2023
On this day in 1955, E. Lynn Harris was born
E. Lynn Harris was born on June 20, 1955, in Flint, Michigan, and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Harris would go…
June 15, 2023
On this day in 1921, Bessie Coleman became the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license
In 1920, Bessie embarked on a journey to France, a country known for its more inclusive aviation schools. She enrolled at an…
June 7, 2023
On this day in 1998, James Byrd Jr. died after being beaten by three white supremacists
Twenty-five years ago today, a 49-year-old Black man named James Byrd Jr. died on June 7, 1998, after he was beaten by…
June 2, 2023
On this day in 1962, Ray Charles earned his third No. 1 hit
On June 2, 1962, music legend Ray Charles, one of the founding fathers of soul music, earned his third No. 1 hit…