On this day, Marvelous Marvin Hagler was born in Newark, New Jersey. Hagler rose to become the undisputed middleweight boxing champion of the world from 1980 to 1987, making twelve successful title defenses during his reign. He holds the highest knockout percentage of any middleweight champion in history—an impressive 78%. In 1982, frustrated that commentators often omitted his ring nickname, he legally changed his name to Marvelous Marvin Hagler, ensuring the respect and recognition he earned in and out of the ring.

A Pentagon report released on this day revealed that Black Americans made up 11 percent of U.S. soldiers serving in Southeast Asia. It also disclosed that 12.5 percent of all American military personnel killed in Vietnam since 1961 were Black, highlighting the disproportionate toll of the war on African Americans.

On May 20, 1961, a group of Freedom Riders—civil rights activists challenging segregated bus terminals in the South—were viciously attacked by a white mob at the Greyhound Bus Station in Montgomery, Alabama. Despite the presence of federal observers, local police failed to intervene, exposing the brutality of Southern resistance to desegregation. The Freedom Riders, organized by CORE and SNCC, continued their courageous interstate journey to challenge Jim Crow laws, risking their lives to uphold Supreme Court rulings against segregation. The violence in Montgomery forced the federal government to provide protection, marking a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement. This attack garnered national attention and helped galvanize public support for civil rights legislation. May 20 remains a stark reminder of the sacrifices made for racial justice and the power of nonviolent resistance in the face of systemic oppression.

Actor and entertainer Lawrence Tero, famously known as Mr. T, was born in Chicago, Illinois. Best known for his tough-guy persona, gold chains, and his role as B.A. Baracus in the hit 1980s television series The A-Team, Mr. T became a cultural icon. Beyond his acting, he inspired generations with his signature phrase “I pity the fool!” and his advocacy for youth empowerment and anti-drug campaigns during the height of his fame.

On May 20, 1910, Benjamin “Scatman” Crothers was born in Terre Haute, Indiana. With a career spanning over five decades, Crothers became an iconic figure in American entertainment, known for his gravelly voice, jazz-infused charisma, and roles across television, film, and animation. He gained widespread recognition later in life with performances in The Shining, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and as the voice of Jazz in The Transformers. His legacy as a multi-talented musician, actor, and trailblazing Black performer continues to resonate in pop culture today.

At the Republican National Convention held in Chicago on May 20, 1868, Ulysses S. Grant was officially nominated for the presidency. More significantly, this event marked the national debut of African American political participation at a major party convention. Among the delegates were P.B.S. Pinchback of Louisiana and James J. Harris of North Carolina. Harris made history by being appointed to the committee that formally notified Grant of his nomination—an early sign of the growing political influence of Black Americans during the Reconstruction era.

On this day in 1743, Pierre-Dominique Toussaint Louverture was born in Saint-Domingue, the French colony that would later become Haiti. Though slave revolts had occurred before across the Americas, none would rival the scale or success of the Great Haitian Revolution.

Beginning in 1791, over 500,000 enslaved Africans on the island rose up in a coordinated revolt, setting plantations ablaze and challenging colonial rule. Louverture, a self-educated former slave, emerged as the revolution’s most brilliant military and political leader. He organized the rebel forces into a disciplined army and outmaneuvered European powers—including France, Spain, and Britain—to lay the foundation for the world’s first Black republic.

Toussaint Louverture’s leadership would not only change the fate of Haiti but also shake the foundations of slavery and colonialism across the globe.

On this day in 1971, the National Guard was mobilized to suppress a riot in Chattanooga, Tennessee, following rising racial tensions. The unrest led to the death of one individual and the arrest of approximately 400 people. The incident highlighted ongoing civil rights struggles and systemic issues in the American South during the post–civil rights era.

On this day, Blanche Kelso Bruce of Mississippi made history as the first Black man to serve a full term in the United States Senate, and the first person born into slavery to preside over the Senate. During his term, Bruce advocated for the civil rights of African Americans, Native Americans, Chinese immigrants, and even former Confederates, reflecting a deeply inclusive vision of American democracy.

Dred Scott, whose Supreme Court case would become one of the most infamous in U.S. history, was born into slavery on May 20, 1806, in Virginia. He later sued for his freedom in a legal battle that culminated in the 1857 Dred Scott v. Sandford decision. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not U.S. citizens and had no right to sue in federal court. This decision intensified national divisions over slavery and is widely considered a catalyst for the Civil War. Scott’s life and legal fight exposed the dehumanizing nature of slavery and the entrenched legal structures that upheld it. Although he lost in court, the case ignited national outrage and laid the groundwork for future civil rights struggles. Remembering Scott’s birthday is a reminder of the law’s potential both to oppress and to awaken movements for justice.