Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first Black woman in the United States to earn a medical degree, graduating from the New England Female Medical College. Born in 1833, she worked as a nurse from 1852 to 1860 in Massachusetts before pursuing formal medical education. Her groundbreaking achievement paved the way for generations of Black women in medicine.

Kwame Nkrumah, the elected leader and first president of Ghana, was overthrown in a military coup while on a peace mission to Vietnam. Nkrumah, a prominent Pan-Africanist and key figure in Ghana’s independence from British rule, had increasingly faced political opposition at home. His ousting marked a turning point in Ghanaian politics and had broader implications for post-colonial leadership across Africa.

Jimmy Ellis, born James Albert Ellis in Louisville, Kentucky, was a prominent heavyweight boxer who became World Boxing Association (WBA) champion in April 1968 after defeating Jerry Quarry. Known for his speed and skill, Ellis trained alongside Muhammad Ali and earned respect for his sportsmanship and talent in a highly competitive era of boxing.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 126 to 47 to impeach President Andrew Johnson, primarily for violating the Tenure of Office Act. This was a pivotal moment in Reconstruction, as Johnson had consistently opposed civil rights efforts and vetoed legislation aimed at protecting formerly enslaved people. His impeachment reflected growing Congressional frustration with his leniency toward the former Confederate states and resistance to Black advancement.

Daniel Alexander Payne, a key leader in African American religious and educational life, was born on this day. He became the first Black president of a college in the United States—Wilberforce University—and one of the earliest bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Payne was a staunch advocate for education and played a pivotal role in shaping the AME Church’s commitment to learning and literacy.