On Sept. 24, 1935, boxer Joe Louis made history as the first African-American to draw a $1 million purse in the field of boxing. Born in 1914, Louis achieved this milestone in a fight against former heavyweight champion Max Baer at Yankee Stadium. Despite Baer’s tough reputation—having been knocked down only once before by Frankie Campbell—Louis dominated the bout, knocking Baer out in the fourth round.
Beyond boxing, Louis became a cultural icon, symbolizing anti-Nazi sentiment before and during World War II. He also helped integrate professional golf, breaking the PGA’s color barrier in 1952.
Louis died in 1981, and President Ronald Reagan arranged his burial with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
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