On February 6, 1961, the “Jail-in” movement began in Rock Hill, South Carolina, when nine Black students refused to pay fines for a sit-in and instead chose to serve jail time. Their actions inspired the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to launch a wider “Jail, No Bail” campaign across the South, shifting civil rights protest tactics and drawing national attention to the injustice of segregation.

On February 6, 1993, Arthur Ashe, renowned tennis champion and civil rights activist, passed away at the age of 49. Ashe was the first Black man to win singles titles at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. Off the court, he was a powerful advocate for racial justice, education, and HIV/AIDS awareness following his own diagnosis.

On February 6, 1972, Robert L. Douglas, founder and coach of the New York Renaissance (the “Rens”), became the first African American elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Rens were one of the most successful all-Black professional basketball teams in history, dominating the sport during the 1920s and 1930s.

On February 6, 1945, Bob Marley, the legendary Jamaican reggae musician, was born in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. Marley became a global icon for reggae music and a powerful voice for peace, resistance, and Rastafarian culture. His music and message continue to inspire generations worldwide.

Walter E. Fauntroy was born on February 6, 1933, in Washington, D.C. He later became the first non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives for the District of Columbia since Reconstruction. A key figure in the civil rights movement, Fauntroy worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and played a major role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington.

Melvin B. Tolson, acclaimed author, educator, and poet, was born on February 6, 1898. Known for his powerful works blending modernist style with themes of Black identity and empowerment, Tolson also coached the renowned Wiley College debate team and played a pivotal role in shaping African American literary and intellectual culture.

On February 6, 1870, Jonathan Jasper Wright was elected to the South Carolina Supreme Court, becoming the first African American to serve on a state supreme court in the United States. His appointment during the Reconstruction era represented a landmark achievement in the pursuit of racial equality in the American legal system.

On February 6, 1867, philanthropist George Peabody established the Peabody Education Fund to support public education in the Southern United States, with a significant focus on improving educational opportunities for formerly enslaved African Americans. The fund played a crucial role in the development of schools for Black children during the Reconstruction era.

On February 6, 1820, the first organized emigration of free African Americans to Africa began as 86 individuals departed New York Harbor aboard the Mayflower of Liberia. They were bound for the British colony of Sierra Leone, which welcomed free African Americans and fugitive slaves. This marked the beginning of a migration movement that would eventually lead to the founding of Liberia.

On February 6, 1820, census data recorded the United States population at 9,638,453, with 1,771,656 identified as Black—accounting for approximately 18.4% of the total population. The data reflects the significant presence of African Americans during a time when slavery was still legal in much of the country.