The Virginia House of Delegates voted unanimously to retire “Carry Me Back to Old Virginia” as the official state song. The decision came after growing criticism over the song’s romanticized portrayal of slavery and its offensive lyrics. This marked a significant step in addressing the legacy of racism in state symbols and promoting a more inclusive historical narrative.

Legendary jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk died at the age of 64. Known for his unique improvisational style and contributions to the development of modern jazz, Monk composed numerous standards including ‘Round Midnight, Blue Monk, and Straight, No Chaser. His innovative approach and distinctive sound left a lasting impact on jazz and American music as a whole.

The U.S. Navy commissioned the frigate USS Jesse L. Brown (DE/FF/FFT-1089), named in honor of Ensign Jesse L. Brown—the first African American naval aviator in U.S. history and the first to die in combat, during the Korean War. The ship’s commissioning marked a historic recognition of Brown’s legacy and service, symbolizing progress in the integration of the U.S. armed forces.

Ronald DeVoe, a singer and one of the founding members of the R&B/hip-hop group Bell Biv DeVoe, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. The group, a spin-off from New Edition, became influential in the new jack swing era of the early 1990s with hits like “Poison.” DeVoe’s contributions helped shape a unique sound blending R&B, hip-hop, and pop.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Known for his legendary career with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan won six NBA championships and five MVP awards. He also briefly played minor league baseball and became a global icon both on and off the court.

Huey P. Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, was born in Monroe, Louisiana. An illiterate high school graduate, Newton taught himself to read before attending Merritt College and the San Francisco Law School. In 1966, he co-founded the Black Panther Party in Oakland with Bobby Seale, in response to systemic police brutality and racial injustice.

Mary Frances Berry was born in Nashville, Tennessee. She would go on to become a pioneering educator, civil rights advocate, and historian. Berry made history as the first woman to serve as chancellor of a major research university (University of Colorado at Boulder) and later became chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Her work has had a lasting impact on education policy and civil rights in America.

James Nathaniel Brown, known as Jim Brown, was born on this day in St. Simons Island, Georgia. Widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, Brown was also a lacrosse star and a prominent civil rights activist. Off the field, he advocated for Black empowerment and founded organizations supporting urban youth and social justice.

Charles A. Hayes, civil rights advocate and U.S. Representative from Illinois, was born in Cairo, Illinois. A labor leader and longtime supporter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Hayes was first elected to Congress on September 12, 1983, in a special election. In 1989, he was re-elected to a fourth term, representing Chicago’s South Side. Hayes was known for his advocacy on labor rights, education, and social justice issues.

Marian Anderson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A gifted contralto, she was entered in the New York Philharmonic Competition at age 17 and placed first among 300 singers. In 1930, she was awarded a Rosenwald Fellowship, which allowed her to study in Europe, where she gained international acclaim. Anderson would later become a symbol of the struggle for civil rights, famously performing at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 after being denied the use of Constitution Hall due to her race.

African American inventor A.C. Richardson was granted U.S. Patent #466,470 for an innovative butter churn design. His invention improved the efficiency of churning cream into butter, reflecting the often-overlooked contributions of Black inventors to everyday technology and agricultural tools in the 19th century.

The U.S. Congress passed a resolution to readmit Mississippi to representation in Congress, with the condition that the state would never amend its constitution to disenfranchise Black citizens. This move was part of Reconstruction-era efforts to enforce civil rights for newly freed African Americans, though such protections were later undermined during the Jim Crow era.