At the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards, African American musicians won eight major awards, showcasing the continued impact of Black artists on global music. Notable winners included Mariah Carey (Best New Artist), MC Hammer (Best Rap Solo Performance), and Quincy Jones, who won six awards including Album of the Year for Back on the Block. Their wins reflected the growing recognition of Black excellence across a variety of musical genres.

State troopers used tear gas to suppress student demonstrations at Alcorn A&M College (now Alcorn State University) in Mississippi. The protests were part of a wave of student activism demanding better campus conditions, academic reforms, and the resignation of the college president. This event underscored the growing role of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the civil rights and Black Power movements of the 1960s.

Charles Wade Barkley, Hall of Fame basketball player and sports analyst, was born in Leeds, Alabama. Known for his dominant rebounding, outspoken personality, and versatility on the court, Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA and was an 11-time All-Star. He later became a prominent commentator on TNT’s Inside the NBA.

Nancy Wilson, an acclaimed jazz, R&B, and pop vocalist, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio. Known for her smooth, expressive voice and versatility across genres, Wilson released over 70 albums and earned three Grammy Awards during her illustrious career. She was also a prominent television personality and civil rights advocate, making a lasting impact on American music and culture.

John Hope, the first Black president of both Morehouse College and Atlanta University, passed away on this day. A prominent educator and advocate for racial equality, Hope worked to expand higher education opportunities for African Americans and was a founding member of the NAACP. His leadership and vision helped shape the future of Black education in the United States.

Emmett Paige, Jr. was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He became one of the highest-ranking African Americans in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Lieutenant General. Over his distinguished career, Paige played a pivotal role in advancing military communications and later served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence under President Bill Clinton. His legacy includes breaking racial barriers and modernizing U.S. defense technology.

The play Harlem, co-written by Wallace Thurman and William Jourdan Rapp, debuted in New York City. Offering a gritty, realistic portrayal of life in Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance, the play broke with the era’s romanticized depictions of Black life. Thurman, a key literary figure of the time, used his work to confront issues such as poverty, colorism, and racial identity head-on.

Sidney Poitier was born in Miami, Florida. He would go on to become the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in Lilies of the Field (1963). Poitier broke racial barriers in Hollywood, starring in landmark films such as Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and In the Heat of the Night, and later served as a diplomat for the Bahamas. His legacy endures as a pioneer in film and civil rights.

John F. Pickering, an inventor from Gonaïves, Haiti, was granted U.S. Patent No. 643,975 for his innovative airship design. His invention featured an aluminum-framed gas dome, directional fans, and adjustable air ducts, allowing for controlled ascent, descent, and navigation—advancements that predated the Wright brothers’ first flight by three years. Pickering’s work stands as a testament to early Black contributions to aviation technology.

Frederick Douglass, the leading Black spokesman of the 19th century, died on this day. Born into slavery, Douglass escaped and rose to prominence as a powerful abolitionist, orator, writer, and editor. For nearly fifty years, he advocated for the rights of African Americans and women, becoming a symbol of resilience and intellect in the fight for justice.

Tennessee Governor William G. Brownlow declared martial law in nine counties to suppress rampant violence and intimidation by the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction. Brownlow, a staunch Unionist and supporter of civil rights for freedmen, took the unprecedented step as part of his efforts to protect Black citizens and enforce federal Reconstruction policies in the face of Klan terrorism.