On February 5, 1990, Barack Obama was elected president of the Harvard Law Review, becoming the first African American to hold the prestigious position in the publication’s 104-year history. His election gained national attention and was a significant milestone on his path to future leadership.

On February 5, 1962, a federal lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court challenging the racial segregation of elementary schools in Englewood, New Jersey. The suit accused the city of maintaining racially segregated schools, marking a significant legal action in the fight against de facto segregation in Northern school systems.

On February 5, 1958, Clifton R. Wharton Sr. was confirmed as U.S. Minister to Romania, becoming the first African American to head a U.S. embassy in Europe. A distinguished career diplomat, Wharton broke racial barriers in the Foreign Service and paved the way for future generations of Black diplomats.

Singer Natalie Cole was born on February 5, 1950, in Los Angeles, California. The daughter of legendary musician Nat King Cole, she began singing professionally at age 11. By 1976, she had earned Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, launching a celebrated career that blended soul, jazz, and pop.

Henry “Hank” Aaron, one of baseball’s greatest legends, was born on February 5, 1934, in Mobile, Alabama. Nicknamed the “Home Run King,” Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974, finishing his career with 755 home runs. Beyond his athletic achievements, he was a powerful figure in the civil rights movement, challenging racism with dignity and excellence.

On February 5, 1900, Jefferson Franklin Long, the first African American to represent Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives, died in Washington, D.C. Elected in 1870 during Reconstruction, Long served a 60-day term in Congress, becoming the only African American to do so from Georgia in the 19th century. He was also the first Black congressman to speak on the House floor.

On February 5, 1866, Congressman Thaddeus Stevens introduced an amendment to the Freedmen’s Bureau bill that would have authorized the distribution of public and confiscated lands in 40-acre plots to freedmen and loyal refugees. The proposal aimed to provide formerly enslaved people with a means to economic independence. However, the amendment was defeated in the House by a vote of 126 to 37. In response, a Black delegation led by Frederick Douglass called on President Andrew Johnson to advocate for land redistribution and civil rights.