Dr. Mae Jemison became the first African-American woman in space when she launched from the Kennedy Center to join Spacelab J, a joint U.S.-Japanese mission.

On this date in 1986, the National Council of Negro Women sponsors its first Black Family Reunion at the National Mall in Washington.

On this date in 1974, Eugene A. Marino, SSJ, is consecrated at the first African American auxiliary bishop in the U.S. He was assigned to Washington, D.C.

On this date in 1974, Haile Selassie deposed by military leaders after fifty-eight years as the ruling monarch of Ethiopia.

On this date in 1956, Black students entered Clay, Ky., elementary school under National Guard protection. They were barred from the school on September 17.

On this date in 1952, Floyd Patterson’s first professional fight took place. He was the first to hold the world heavyweight championship twice.

On this date in 1947, First Black baseball player in the major leagues, Jackie Robinson, named National League Rookie of the Year.

On this date in 1935, Sculptor Richard H. Hunt who soon became known as one of the “most gifted and assured artist working in the direct open form medium…” was born. Hunt did not work with paint, brush and canvas, but with blow-torch, hammer and metal. The creations of Richard Hunt stand in modernistic splendor in public and private collections.

On this date in 1913, James Cleveland Owens, better known as Jesse Owens, winner of four gold medals at the Summer Olympic Games in Berlin, was born