On May 16, 1929, John Conyers Jr. was born in Highland Park, Michigan. Conyers would go on to become a towering figure in American politics, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for over 50 years—from 1965 to 2017. A founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, he was a tireless advocate for civil rights, workers’ protections, and justice reform. He introduced the bill to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday just four days after King’s assassination in 1968—a campaign that lasted 15 years until the holiday was signed into law in 1983.

Conyers also authored the End Racial Profiling Act and repeatedly introduced H.R. 40, legislation to study reparations for African Americans. His long career symbolized steadfast commitment to civil rights through legislative action.

On this day, legendary performer Sammy Davis Jr. passed away in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 64. Born in Harlem, Davis rose to fame as a world-class singer, dancer, and actor. A member of the famous Rat Pack alongside Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, he broke racial barriers in entertainment and held leading roles in numerous Broadway musicals and Hollywood films, leaving an indelible mark on American culture.

On this day, Asa Philip Randolph—an iconic labor leader and civil rights pioneer—passed away at age 90 in New York City. Randolph was instrumental in organizing the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first predominantly African American labor union. He played a pivotal role in pressuring President Roosevelt to ban racial discrimination in the defense industry during WWII, and later helped organize the 1963 March on Washington. His legacy laid a foundation for labor justice and civil rights movements across the 20th century.

On this day, Janet Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, as the youngest member of the iconic Jackson family. Beginning her career in television, she appeared in shows like Good Times, Diff’rent Strokes, and Fame, before launching a groundbreaking music career. Her albums Control, Rhythm Nation 1814, and janet. became cultural milestones, earning her recognition as a global pop icon and one of the best-selling artists in history. Her fearless exploration of identity, social justice, and sensuality—often controversial—cemented her legacy as a pioneering performer and cultural force.

On this day, Stokely Carmichael was named chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), marking a shift toward more radical Black power advocacy within the civil rights movement. The same year, the National Welfare Rights Organization (NWRO) was organized, amplifying the voices of low-income women—especially Black mothers—fighting for economic justice in America.

On May 16, 1930, Betty Carter, the legendary American jazz singer known for her improvisational genius and fearless vocal style, was born in Flint, Michigan. Renowned for her work with greats like Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, Carter later became a fierce advocate for jazz education and mentoring young artists, founding the Jazz Ahead program to support emerging talent.

On May 16, 1868, the U.S. Senate narrowly failed to convict President Andrew Johnson during his impeachment trial. The vote on Article 11 resulted in 35 senators voting “guilty” and 19 voting “not guilty,” falling just one vote short of the two-thirds majority (36 votes) required for conviction under the Constitution .?U.S. Senate

The impeachment stemmed primarily from Johnson’s violation of the Tenure of Office Act, which restricted the president’s power to remove certain officeholders without the Senate’s approval. Johnson had attempted to dismiss Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and replace him with Lorenzo Thomas, actions that led to the House of Representatives adopting 11 articles of impeachment against him .?Wikipedia

After the initial vote on Article 11, the Senate adjourned for 10 days. Upon reconvening on May 26, 1868, the Senate voted on Articles 2 and 3, both of which also resulted in 35 “guilty” and 19 “not guilty” votes—again, one vote short of conviction. Following these votes, the Senate adjourned the impeachment trial without voting on the remaining eight articles .?Wikipedia

The decisive vote against conviction on Article 11 was cast by Senator Edmund G. Ross of Kansas. His vote was pivotal in Johnson’s acquittal and has been the subject of historical debate and analysis .?

Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett was appointed on May 16, 1870, as the first African American diplomat to a foreign country, serving as U.S. Minister Resident to Haiti. A prominent educator and abolitionist, Bassett’s appointment marked a historic moment during Reconstruction. Representing the United States in a nation born of slave rebellion, Bassett navigated political tensions with skill, advocating for peace and justice during a period of internal Haitian strife. His service set a precedent for Black leadership in international diplomacy, earning him respect from peers across racial and national lines. Bassett’s legacy paved the way for future Black diplomats and is a testament to the possibilities of African American excellence in global affairs during an era of profound systemic exclusion.

On May 16, 1929, Barbara Rose Johns was born in New York City. At just 16, she organized a student strike in 1951 at R.R. Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia, protesting substandard school conditions for Black students. Her courage caught the attention of the NAACP, leading to the case Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County, which became one of five cases consolidated into Brown v. Board of Education (1954). Though often overshadowed, Johns’ leadership catalyzed a legal battle that dismantled school segregation in America. Her boldness at such a young age symbolized the critical role that youth played in the Civil Rights Movement. Today, she is recognized as a foundational figure in education equality, and her story continues to inspire movements for justice in education across the nation.

On May 16, 1953, Nnenna Freelon, the six-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Renowned for her commanding voice and socially conscious lyrics, Freelon rose to prominence in the 1990s as one of jazz’s leading contemporary voices. In addition to performing globally with artists like Herbie Hancock and Ray Charles, Freelon became a key educator and advocate for arts in Black communities. Her work often explores African American history, identity, and resilience. Freelon also founded the Freelon Group Foundation, supporting arts education. She raised a family rooted in cultural creativity—her son, Pierce Freelon, is a Grammy-nominated musician, professor, and activist. Her career has helped expand the role of Black women in jazz and in preserving the cultural memory of African diasporic communities through music and mentorship.

On May 16, 1920, Marcus Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), delivered one of his most powerful addresses at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Speaking to a crowd of over 20,000 Black supporters, Garvey emphasized pride in African heritage, economic self-reliance, and the dream of a united Africa. At the height of the “Back to Africa” movement, Garvey’s speeches galvanized Black communities around the world to build institutions independent of white control. His call for Black nationalism was revolutionary and controversial, drawing both praise and criticism. Though his later legal troubles would tarnish his legacy in some circles, Garvey’s rhetoric and vision left an indelible mark on Pan-African thought, inspiring future leaders like Malcolm X and Kwame Nkrumah. This moment at Madison Square Garden exemplified Garvey’s unmatched ability to mobilize Black people globally.

On May 16, 1954, Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller, the first African American psychiatrist and a pioneer in Alzheimer’s research, passed away. Born in Liberia and educated in the U.S., Fuller worked alongside Alois Alzheimer in Germany and was among the first to publish research on the disease that now bears Alzheimer’s name. As a professor at Boston University, Fuller challenged racial barriers in medicine and academia. Despite discrimination that often denied him titles and full recognition, his work was foundational in understanding neurological disorders. Fuller’s career also focused on the mental health of African Americans, then a neglected field. His contributions were largely forgotten until decades later, but today, he is hailed as a trailblazer who helped lay the groundwork for neuropsychiatry and opened the door for generations of Black mental health professionals.

Did you know? In 1974, the American Psychiatric Association established the Solomon Carter Fuller Award to honor his legacy and recognize African Americans who have made significant contributions to the field of psychiatry.

On May 16, 1970, two students—Phillip Lafayette Gibbs and James Earl Green—were killed by police at Jackson State College in Mississippi during a campus protest against racism and the Vietnam War. Just ten days after the Kent State massacre, the tragedy at Jackson State received far less national attention. Students had gathered to protest racial tensions and the killing of civil rights figures. Mississippi police fired over 150 rounds into a women’s dormitory, killing the two young men and injuring 12 others. The incident reflected the broader state violence faced by Black students during the turbulent civil rights era. Despite the scale of the shooting, no officers were prosecuted. The Jackson State killings remain a haunting example of racialized state repression and highlight the unequal responses to protest movements based on race in America.

On May 16, 1983, the Republic of Ghana issued a commemorative stamp honoring reggae icon Bob Marley, two years after his death. Though Jamaican by birth, Marley had long embraced Pan-Africanism, and his music often uplifted African liberation struggles and Rastafarian ideology rooted in African pride. Ghana, known for its post-independence Black leadership under Kwame Nkrumah, was the first African nation to officially recognize Marley’s cultural and political impact in this way. The stamp featured Marley’s likeness with a lion—symbol of strength and African royalty. The gesture underscored the global reach of Marley’s message of unity, resistance, and empowerment, linking Caribbean consciousness to African identity. It also demonstrated the role of music in forging diasporic solidarity across continents during the 20th century.

On May 16, 1997, Qubilah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, was cleared of federal charges in a controversial case alleging she plotted to kill Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. In 1995, Shabazz had been charged with conspiring to hire a hitman—later revealed to be an FBI informant. The case drew national attention due to its political implications, complex family history, and FBI surveillance tactics reminiscent of COINTELPRO. On May 16, 1997, after entering a deferred prosecution agreement and completing psychological counseling, she was officially cleared. The ordeal reflected broader patterns of state entrapment and trauma experienced by the children of Black activists. Though the case ended quietly, it left a lasting scar on the Shabazz family and raised deeper questions about justice, healing, and generational accountability within the context of America\’s fraught racial legacy.

On May 16, 1966, Stokely Carmichael was elected chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), marking a turning point in the civil rights movement. A Trinidad-born activist, Carmichael succeeded John Lewis and introduced a more militant stance. Under his leadership, SNCC shifted toward Black Power, emphasizing self-determination, economic autonomy, and racial dignity. His use of the phrase “Black Power” during the Mississippi march later that year became a rallying cry for a generation. Carmichael’s influence extended internationally, particularly in linking the African American struggle to global liberation movements in Africa and the Caribbean. His election signaled a departure from strict nonviolence and mainstream integration goals, catalyzing debate over strategy within the broader movement.

On May 16, 1957, Ghana’s Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah made a historic diplomatic visit to Liberia following Ghana’s independence from British colonial rule in March. The visit was a symbolic gesture of Pan-African solidarity, as Liberia was Africa’s oldest republic, founded by freed African Americans. Nkrumah’s meeting with Liberian President William Tubman laid the groundwork for greater African unity and anti-colonial cooperation. Their discussions included forming the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and resisting neocolonial influence. This visit strengthened ties between West African nations and highlighted the emerging leadership of post-colonial Africa. It also inspired other colonized nations by showing that independent African states could forge powerful alliances beyond Western influence.

On May 16, 1927, Nigeria lost one of its cultural pioneers, Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti. A clergyman, music educator, and composer, Ransome-Kuti was among the first Nigerians to publish written music in an African language. He composed Christian hymns in Yoruba and is credited with helping to create a distinct Afro-Christian musical identity. His integration of African rhythm and traditional tonal patterns with Anglican musical structure marked a significant cultural development. He was also the grandfather of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. His musical legacy laid the foundation for generations of Nigerian musicians who fused tradition with modernity, and he remains a celebrated figure in Nigerian religious and cultural history.

On May 16, 1983, anti-apartheid leader Walter Sisulu was re-arrested by South African authorities despite already serving a life sentence since the infamous Rivonia Trial of 1964. Sisulu, a senior member of the African National Congress (ANC), was a central figure in the struggle against apartheid, mentoring leaders like Nelson Mandela. His re-arrest was part of the apartheid government’s strategy to suppress even imprisoned dissenters and to curtail growing resistance inside and outside the country. The incident drew international condemnation and intensified global attention on the inhumanity of the apartheid system. Sisulu would later be released in 1989, becoming a symbol of unwavering resistance.

On May 16, 1871, Brazilian authorities violently suppressed an Afro-Brazilian revolt in the province of Bahia, where resistance to slavery and racial oppression had been persistent for decades. Bahia had long been a center of African cultural retention and rebellion, from the Malê Revolt in 1835 to ongoing unrest. The 1871 uprising involved free and enslaved Blacks protesting labor exploitation and police brutality. Though the rebellion was short-lived, it influenced debates over slavery, which Brazil would abolish in 1888. The suppression also highlighted the state’s violent response to Black assertion, even among the free population. This event foreshadowed the struggles Afro-Brazilians would face in post-emancipation society.

On May 16, 1975, American activist Angela Davis delivered a keynote speech at the Federation of Cuban Women conference in Havana. Davis, an outspoken Black Marxist and former political prisoner, received a hero’s welcome in Cuba, where her anti-imperialist stance resonated with revolutionary ideals. In her speech, she drew connections between the struggles of Black Americans, Cuban socialists, and global liberation movements. Davis highlighted the role of women in revolutionary politics and praised Cuba’s efforts in advancing racial and gender equality. Her visit solidified Afro-Cuban admiration for the African American freedom struggle and cemented her as a global symbol of resistance.

On May 16, 1881, the intellectual foundation for African American scholarly advancement was laid with the founding of the American Negro Academy in Washington, D.C. While the group would not formalize its operations until 1897 under Alexander Crummell, key preliminary discussions and gatherings began on this day. The Academy was committed to promoting literature, science, and art among African Americans. It rejected racist scholarship and offered an elite intellectual counter to prevailing white supremacist narratives. The Academy nurtured thinkers like W.E.B. Du Bois and Carter G. Woodson and inspired similar movements in Africa and the Caribbean, affirming the transnational Black intellectual tradition.

On May 16, 1994, Jamaica passed the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, significantly expanding protections for civil liberties, including freedom from discrimination. Though largely symbolic at first, the Charter marked a shift in post-colonial Caribbean governance toward human rights and accountability. It built upon Jamaica’s constitution by guaranteeing equal treatment regardless of race, gender, or religion. For Afro-Caribbean citizens, especially in rural and impoverished communities, the law represented hope for addressing systemic inequities. Over time, the Charter has been invoked in legal challenges addressing police violence, gender rights, and economic inequality, making it a cornerstone of Jamaica’s evolving democracy.

On May 16, 1977, the groundbreaking television miniseries Roots, based on Alex Haley’s novel, won a prestigious Peabody Award for excellence in storytelling and impact. The series, which traced an African American family from enslavement to emancipation, aired internationally and sparked conversations about the legacy of slavery, identity, and race across the globe. Its success had ripple effects in countries with similar colonial histories, such as the UK, South Africa, and Brazil. The series influenced how Black history was taught and inspired a generation of genealogical and cultural exploration. The Peabody win cemented Roots as a milestone in Black global media representation.

On May 16, 1930, Ras Tafari Makonnen, soon to be crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I, conducted an official tour of southern Ethiopia to consolidate power and promote national unity. His visit was aimed at integrating diverse ethnic groups and regions into a modern Ethiopian state amid tensions between central and peripheral areas. The tour included reforms in education, taxation, and infrastructure, and demonstrated Selassie’s vision of modernization. For many Rastafarians and Pan-Africanists, this period represented the emergence of a divinely guided leader. The tour would precede his coronation later that year, which garnered global attention and inspired Afro-diasporic spiritual and political movements.

On May 16, 1951, the First Pan-African Women’s Conference convened in Dakar, Senegal—marking a critical but underrecognized moment in global Black history. Organized during the waning years of colonial rule, the conference brought together women leaders, activists, and organizers from across French West Africa and beyond to address gender equality, education, health, labor rights, and anti-colonial resistance. While male-led nationalist movements were gaining attention, this historic gathering spotlighted the crucial role African women played in shaping political discourse and pushing for both national liberation and gender justice. Delegates from countries such as Senegal, Mali (then French Sudan), Côte d\’Ivoire, and Niger discussed shared struggles and laid the foundation for future cross-border feminist organizing. The conference is seldom mentioned in mainstream history despite its profound influence on post-independence women’s movements across Africa. It remains a testament to the intellectual and organizational leadership of African women during a pivotal era of global decolonization.