On June 6, 1987, Dr. Mae Jemison was selected by NASA as the first Black woman to enter the astronaut training program. A physician, engineer, and former Peace Corps medical officer, Jemison’s selection marked a historic milestone in STEM representation. She would later make history again in 1992 by becoming the first Black woman in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Her achievements shattered racial and gender barriers in science and space exploration, inspiring a new generation of young girls and minorities to pursue careers in science and technology. Jemison emphasized the importance of educational access and remains a global advocate for STEM equity. Her selection on this date confirmed not only her extraordinary qualifications but NASA’s growing—albeit slow—commitment to inclusion in its elite ranks.

On this day in 1977, Joseph Lawson Howze installed as bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi.

On June 6, 1966, civil rights activist James Meredith was shot by a white sniper during his “March Against Fear” in Mississippi. Meredith had begun the solo march from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi, to encourage Black voter registration and confront racial intimidation in the South. Only a few days in, he was shot and seriously wounded near Hernando, Mississippi. The attack shocked the nation and galvanized major civil rights leaders—including Martin Luther King Jr., Stokely Carmichael, and Floyd McKissick—to continue the march. It attracted thousands, ultimately registering over 4,000 Black voters. Meredith recovered and rejoined the march by its conclusion. The event marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, particularly with Carmichael’s first public use of the phrase “Black Power,” signaling a shift toward a more assertive tone in the struggle for racial justice.

On this day in 1950, Frank Petersen enlisted in the Navy. At the age of 20, he was the first Afro-American to be named a naval aviator in the Marine Corp. He was also the first African American to command a fighter squadron, a fighter air group, an air wing, and a major base.

On this day in 1939, Children’s Advocate Marian Wright Edelman was born.

On this day in 1869, Dillard University chartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.

On this day in 1863, at the Battle of Milken’s Bend a Negro soldier takes his former master prisoner.

On this day in 1831, the Second National Black convention met in Philadelphia. There were fifteen delegates from five states.

On this day in 1790, Jean Baptist Pointe Desable, a French speaking Santo Domingo native, becomes the first permanent resident and thus founder of Chicago.

George Washington Carver, one of the most innovative agricultural scientists in U.S. history, is believed to have been born around June 6, 1844, in Diamond, Missouri. Born into slavery, Carver overcame racial barriers to become a leading scientist, educator, and humanitarian. Best known for his work with peanuts, sweet potatoes, and crop rotation, he revolutionized agriculture for poor farmers in the South. His sustainable farming methods helped conserve soil and increase yields, offering an alternative to cotton dependence. Carver’s brilliance was recognized nationwide, earning him praise from U.S. presidents and international leaders. He later taught at Tuskegee Institute for over four decades, mentoring generations of Black scientists. Carver’s legacy transcends science; he symbolized Black excellence in a segregated America and paved the way for future Black innovators.