On June 6, 1987, Dr. Mae Jemison was selected by NASA as the first Black woman to enter the astronaut training program. A physician, engineer, and former Peace Corps medical officer, Jemison’s selection marked a historic milestone in STEM representation. She would later make history again in 1992 by becoming the first Black woman in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Her achievements shattered racial and gender barriers in science and space exploration, inspiring a new generation of young girls and minorities to pursue careers in science and technology. Jemison emphasized the importance of educational access and remains a global advocate for STEM equity. Her selection on this date confirmed not only her extraordinary qualifications but NASA’s growing—albeit slow—commitment to inclusion in its elite ranks.

On this day in 1977, Joseph Lawson Howze installed as bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi.

On June 6, 1966, civil rights activist James Meredith was shot by a white sniper during his “March Against Fear” in Mississippi. Meredith had begun the solo march from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi, to encourage Black voter registration and confront racial intimidation in the South. Only a few days in, he was shot and seriously wounded near Hernando, Mississippi. The attack shocked the nation and galvanized major civil rights leaders—including Martin Luther King Jr., Stokely Carmichael, and Floyd McKissick—to continue the march. It attracted thousands, ultimately registering over 4,000 Black voters. Meredith recovered and rejoined the march by its conclusion. The event marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, particularly with Carmichael’s first public use of the phrase “Black Power,” signaling a shift toward a more assertive tone in the struggle for racial justice.

On this day in 1950, Frank Petersen enlisted in the Navy. At the age of 20, he was the first Afro-American to be named a naval aviator in the Marine Corp. He was also the first African American to command a fighter squadron, a fighter air group, an air wing, and a major base.

On this day in 1939, Children’s Advocate Marian Wright Edelman was born.

On this day in 1869, Dillard University chartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.

On this day in 1863, at the Battle of Milken’s Bend a Negro soldier takes his former master prisoner.

On this day in 1831, the Second National Black convention met in Philadelphia. There were fifteen delegates from five states.

On this day in 1790, Jean Baptist Pointe Desable, a French speaking Santo Domingo native, becomes the first permanent resident and thus founder of Chicago.

George Washington Carver, one of the most innovative agricultural scientists in U.S. history, is believed to have been born around June 6, 1844, in Diamond, Missouri. Born into slavery, Carver overcame racial barriers to become a leading scientist, educator, and humanitarian. Best known for his work with peanuts, sweet potatoes, and crop rotation, he revolutionized agriculture for poor farmers in the South. His sustainable farming methods helped conserve soil and increase yields, offering an alternative to cotton dependence. Carver’s brilliance was recognized nationwide, earning him praise from U.S. presidents and international leaders. He later taught at Tuskegee Institute for over four decades, mentoring generations of Black scientists. Carver’s legacy transcends science; he symbolized Black excellence in a segregated America and paved the way for future Black innovators.

On June 6, 1971, Kenneth Gibson took office as the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, becoming the first African American elected mayor of a major Northeastern city. His election marked a turning point for Black political empowerment in urban America, especially following the civil unrest and racial tensions of the 1960s. A civil engineer by training, Gibson’s campaign focused on restoring faith in city leadership, addressing police brutality, and improving public services. His victory signaled a growing political consciousness among Black voters in the North and opened the door for other major Black mayoral victories in cities like Detroit, Los Angeles, and Atlanta in the years that followed. Gibson served four terms, helping to reshape urban governance and amplifying the role of Black leadership in American politics.

On June 6, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy died from gunshot wounds sustained the previous day. His assassination was a profound blow to the civil rights movement. RFK had become a key ally to Black Americans, especially after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968. His presidential campaign championed racial justice, economic equality, and an end to urban poverty. Many African Americans saw in Kennedy a rare white politician who genuinely understood and addressed their struggles. His outreach to marginalized communities and calls for reconciliation resonated deeply during a turbulent period. His death plunged the nation further into political despair and symbolized the loss of yet another voice for equity. The legacy of his support for civil rights continues to be remembered each June 6.

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched the D-Day invasion of Normandy, and among them were thousands of African American troops. Despite serving in segregated units, Black soldiers played vital roles in logistics, engineering, and frontline combat. Units like the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion were instrumental in protecting the landing zones from German aircraft. These troops faced the double burden of confronting fascism abroad while enduring racism at home. Their valor on the beaches of Normandy highlighted the hypocrisy of American segregation and laid groundwork for President Truman’s 1948 order to desegregate the armed forces. Though often omitted from mainstream war narratives, Black soldiers at D-Day exemplified patriotism, courage, and a demand for dignity—both on foreign shores and upon returning to the United States.

On June 6, 1989, the film Lean on Me starring Morgan Freeman as principal Joe Clark continued its strong box office run. The film, based on true events, chronicled the efforts of Clark at Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, where he used unorthodox methods to restore order, boost test scores, and instill pride in Black and Latino students. His controversial tactics—including walking the halls with a baseball bat and expelling disruptive students—sparked national debate. Yet the film portrayed him as a tough but necessary figure in the fight for urban education reform. Freeman’s performance earned critical acclaim and brought attention to the educational crises facing inner-city schools. The film remains a cultural touchstone and a symbol of accountability, community pride, and the enduring belief in student potential.

On June 6, 1871, the U.S. federal government invoked the Ku Klux Klan Act (also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1871) to arrest Klan members in South Carolina. This was one of the first major efforts by the federal government to crack down on racial terrorism in the post-Civil War South. The Act empowered the president to use military force and suspend habeas corpus to protect African Americans from violent white supremacist groups. President Ulysses S. Grant would soon use these powers in full, dismantling many Klan cells and restoring civil order—temporarily. This early use of federal authority demonstrated that the government could, when willing, act decisively in defense of Black lives. However, the subsequent retreat from Reconstruction would allow white supremacist violence to reemerge, reinforcing the need for lasting vigilance and legal protection.

On June 6, 2001, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution officially recognizing the Montford Point Marines, the first African Americans to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. Between 1942 and 1949, over 20,000 Black men trained at Montford Point, North Carolina, under harsh, segregated conditions. These trailblazers broke the color barrier in one of the last branches of the military to integrate. For decades, their contribution had been overlooked in military history. The 2001 resolution was a crucial step toward honoring their sacrifice, bravery, and service. Later, in 2012, they were collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. The recognition on this date began a renewed national appreciation for these pioneers, whose courage laid the foundation for a more inclusive armed forces.

By June 6, 2020, Breonna Taylor’s name had become a rallying cry during worldwide protests following the murder of George Floyd. Demonstrations were held in over 2,000 cities, including major rallies on this day demanding justice for Black victims of police violence. Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT, was shot and killed by Louisville police in a botched no-knock raid on March 13. Although her killing initially received little national attention, by early June, it became central to the global reckoning on systemic racism and police accountability. Activists used the moment to demand police reform, legislative change, and a broader reckoning with anti-Black state violence. June 6 marked a peak in organizing efforts, with Breonna’s name seen on signs, murals, and heard in chants around the world, symbolizing the global fight for Black lives.

Born on June 6, 1844, George William Gordon was the son of a slave woman and a Scottish planter in Jamaica. Despite his mixed heritage and the constraints of colonial racism, Gordon rose to become a successful businessman and member of the Jamaican Assembly. A fierce critic of British colonial rule and the injustices faced by the Black peasantry, Gordon championed land reform and fair treatment. He was falsely implicated in the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865 and executed by hanging under martial law. His trial was widely condemned, and his legacy became a rallying point for Jamaican self-determination. In 1969, Gordon was posthumously declared a National Hero of Jamaica, remembered for his unyielding stance against colonial oppression and his advocacy for Black rights.

On June 6, 1956, Nelson Mandela and 155 others were arrested by the apartheid regime in South Africa on charges of treason. The mass arrest targeted anti-apartheid leaders from the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Indian Congress, and other resistance movements. The accused were held responsible for supposedly plotting to overthrow the government. The resulting Treason Trial, which stretched from 1956 to 1961, was one of the most significant legal battles in the country’s liberation struggle. Though all defendants were eventually acquitted, the trial sought to cripple the anti-apartheid leadership and intimidate political activism. Instead, it galvanized resistance and further solidified Mandela’s role as a key leader. The event highlighted the extent of state surveillance and repression in apartheid South Africa.

On June 6, 1980, Eric Williams, the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and a towering intellectual figure, resigned from his post due to health issues. Often referred to as the \”Father of the Nation,\” Williams led the country to independence from Britain in 1962 and remained in power for nearly two decades. A historian by training, he authored Capitalism and Slavery, a seminal work that redefined the understanding of the transatlantic slave trade\’s economic drivers. Williams’s governance was marked by modernization efforts, education reform, and the establishment of a national identity. His resignation marked the end of a significant era in Caribbean political history. Williams passed away a year later, in 1981, but his contributions to post-colonial governance and historical scholarship remain influential.

June 6, 1978, marked the passing of Hubert Ogunde, often hailed as the “father of Nigerian theatre.” Ogunde revolutionized West African performance art by combining traditional Yoruba storytelling with contemporary themes, including colonial resistance and religious critique. A trailblazer in African cultural expression, Ogunde founded the first professional theatrical company in Nigeria, the Ogunde Theatre Party, in 1945. His plays like Yoruba Ronu challenged political corruption and encouraged national pride. Despite censorship and government crackdowns, Ogunde persisted in using theatre as a tool of activism and education. His death was widely mourned, and his legacy lives on in the continued vibrancy of Nigerian stage drama and Nollywood cinema, both of which draw from his pioneering work in narrative structure, performance, and cultural preservation.

On June 6, 1963, shortly after its founding in Addis Ababa, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) established a Peace Committee to address colonial conflicts on the continent. The OAU, the precursor to the African Union, was created by 32 African states to promote solidarity, political cooperation, and the decolonization of the continent. The Peace Committee focused on supporting liberation movements in territories still under colonial rule, such as Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa. This was a major step in international Black diplomacy, as African nations collectively asserted their right to self-determination and regional problem-solving. The OAU’s stance laid the groundwork for later interventions and peacekeeping efforts led by African nations themselves, emphasizing a pan-African approach to global Black governance.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey, the Pan-Africanist visionary and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), died on June 6, 1940, in London. Garvey’s philosophy of Black nationalism, economic self-reliance, and African unity inspired millions across the diaspora during the early 20th century. He organized one of the largest mass movements of African-descended people and promoted the slogan “Africa for the Africans.” Though controversial in his lifetime and the subject of political repression—including a prison sentence in the U.S.—Garvey\’s legacy profoundly influenced later civil rights and independence leaders, from Malcolm X to Kwame Nkrumah. His vision laid the intellectual foundation for Pan-Africanism and Afrocentric thought. Though he died in obscurity, Garvey is now honored globally, including in Jamaica where he is recognized as a National Hero.

On June 6, 1981, the Republic of Djibouti, a small but strategically significant country in the Horn of Africa, formally became a one-party state under the leadership of President Hassan Gouled Aptidon. Though the country had gained independence from France in 1977, political power quickly consolidated into the hands of the People\’s Rally for Progress (RPP). The move marked a turning point in Djibouti’s post-colonial trajectory, curtailing political pluralism and setting the stage for later unrest. While the country has since transitioned to multi-party politics, this moment reflects the broader pattern of post-independence challenges faced by African nations—balancing sovereignty with democratic development. Djibouti’s politics remain complex, with its geostrategic location continuing to draw global military and economic interest.

Pixley ka Isaka Seme, a founder of the African National Congress (ANC) and one of South Africa’s earliest Black lawyers, died on June 6, 1953. Educated at Columbia University and Oxford, Seme was a leading intellectual who played a crucial role in organizing Black South Africans into a unified political front. In 1912, he co-founded the South African Native National Congress, which later became the ANC. His advocacy emphasized education, legal rights, and African unity. Seme’s vision helped lay the groundwork for the ANC’s eventual leadership in the anti-apartheid struggle. Though overshadowed by later figures like Mandela and Tambo, Seme’s foundational contributions to Black political mobilization in South Africa remain critical to its historical arc.

On June 6, 2013, Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard made history as the first Black woman appointed to the Canadian Senate. A distinguished social worker, scholar, and advocate for racial justice, Bernard’s appointment reflected Canada’s evolving political inclusivity. Born in Nova Scotia, Bernard focused her career on combating systemic racism and improving social equity, particularly for African Nova Scotians. Her appointment was celebrated as a milestone for Black Canadians, who have long faced marginalization despite deep historical roots in the country. As a Senator, Bernard has championed issues such as mental health, youth justice, and the importance of culturally competent services. Her elevation to the Senate marked a significant moment in Black Canadian history and the global push for representative governance.

On June 6, 1892, Paul Bogle, a Baptist deacon and leader of the Morant Bay Rebellion, was officially recognized posthumously as a national hero of Jamaica. Bogle led the 1865 uprising against oppressive British colonial rule and economic injustice in St. Thomas Parish. Though he was captured and hanged shortly after the rebellion, his actions sparked intense debate in Britain and helped accelerate discussions around reform in colonial governance. Despite his execution, Bogle\’s vision for equality endured. It wasn’t until June 6, 1892—over 25 years later—that Jamaican and British authorities began the process of acknowledging the injustice of his death. Today, Paul Bogle’s legacy is commemorated on Jamaican currency and at the National Heroes Park. This early effort at historical recognition, well before Jamaica’s independence in 1962, illustrates how Black resistance movements were remembered and reclaimed across the diaspora—even under colonial rule.