After his home in Queens, New York, was firebombed earlier that morning, Malcolm X delivered what would become his final public speech at the Ford Auditorium in Detroit. Addressing the crowd with unwavering resolve, he spoke about systemic oppression, international solidarity, and the ongoing struggle for Black liberation. Just one week later, he would be assassinated in New York City.

The National Negro Congress was organized in Chicago at a meeting attended by 817 delegates representing over 500 organizations. Asa Philip Randolph, leader of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, was elected president. The Congress aimed to unite Black workers, intellectuals, and activists in the fight against racial discrimination and economic injustice.

Gregory Hines was born on February 14, 1946, in New York City. He began tap dancing at the age of two and started performing professionally with his older brother, Maurice, as “The Hines Kids” by the time he was five. Their father later joined the act as a drummer, and the trio became known as “Hines, Hines, and Dad.” ?BroadwayWorld

Hines was a pivotal figure in the resurgence of tap dancing during the late 20th century. He made significant contributions to Broadway, earning Tony Award nominations for his performances in “Eubie!” (1979), “Comin’ Uptown” (1980), and “Sophisticated Ladies” (1981). He won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in “Jelly’s Last Jam” (1992). ?Encyclopedia

In addition to his stage work, Hines had a successful film career with notable roles in “The Cotton Club” (1984), “White Nights” (1985), and “Tap” (1989), where he starred alongside Sammy Davis Jr. He also appeared in television shows such as “Will & Grace” and voiced the character Big Bill in the animated children’s series “Little Bill.” ?Wikipedia 

Hines was instrumental in promoting and preserving the art of tap dance. He successfully advocated for the creation of National Tap Dance Day in the United States, first celebrated in 1989 and now observed in numerous cities across the country and in other nations. ?

Gregory Hines passed away on August 9, 2003, in Los Angeles, California, due to liver cancer.

Morehouse College was organized in Augusta, Georgia, on February 14, 1867. Originally named the Augusta Institute, it was established to train African American men for the ministry and teaching. The college later moved to Atlanta and was renamed Morehouse College, becoming one of the most prestigious historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States.

Frederick Douglass, born into slavery as Frederick Bailey, is widely believed to have been born on this day. After escaping slavery, he purchased his freedom in 1845 and became one of the most influential abolitionists and orators of the 19th century.

Richard Allen was born into slavery in Philadelphia on this day in 1760. He later purchased his freedom and became a pioneering religious and civic leader. Allen founded the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in 1816, the first independent Black denomination in the United States, advocating for spiritual and social upliftment of African Americans.