On this day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his final speech, I’ve Been to the Mountaintop, at Bishop Charles J. Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee. Speaking in support of striking sanitation workers, King addressed themes of justice, unity, and sacrifice. The speech ended with prophetic words about longevity and purpose—”I’ve seen the Promised Land”—just one day before he was assassinated.

Inventor H.H. Reynolds was granted U.S. Patent No. 275,271 for a Window Ventilator for Railroad Cars. This innovative design improved airflow and passenger comfort in railcars during a time when rail travel was rapidly expanding across the United States. Reynolds’ contribution reflects the often-overlooked role of Black inventors in shaping transportation infrastructure during the 19th century.

After a series of defeats in 1861 and 1862, pressure from Congress increased on President Abraham Lincoln to enlist African Americans as soldiers in the Union Army. Charles Sumner, a prominent abolitionist, famously declared, “I do not say carry the war into Africa, but carry Africa in.” This marked the beginning of African American participation in the Civil War, with Black soldiers playing a crucial role in the Union’s eventual victory, despite the ongoing struggles for equality.

Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) launched a major anti-segregation campaign in Birmingham, Alabama, one of the most racially divided cities in the United States. The movement included sit-ins, marches, and boycotts targeting segregation in public facilities and unfair employment practices. Over 2,000 demonstrators, including King himself, were arrested. The campaign drew national attention and led to significant civil rights gains, including the desegregation of Birmingham’s public spaces.

In response to a Black-led boycott of downtown Birmingham stores during the civil rights movement, the Birmingham City Commission voted to withhold the city’s $45,000 share of a $100,000 county surplus food aid program. Over 90% of the program’s recipients were Black residents. The move was widely condemned as an act of political retaliation. The NAACP and other civil rights organizations publicly protested the decision, exposing the cruel lengths to which segregationist officials would go to suppress the movement for racial justice.

Eddie Murphy was born in Brooklyn, New York. Rising to fame on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, Murphy became one of the most influential comedians and actors of his generation. Known for hits like Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and The Nutty Professor, Murphy broke barriers for Black performers in Hollywood and helped redefine modern comedy.

Carter G. Woodson, the pioneering historian and educator known as the “Father of Black History,” died at the age of 74 in Washington, D.C. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 and launched Negro History Week in 1926, which later evolved into Black History Month. His scholarship and advocacy laid the foundation for the formal study and celebration of African American history in the United States.

In an 8–1 decision in Smith v. Allwright, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to bar Black citizens from voting in Texas Democratic primaries. The Court rejected the claim that political parties were private organizations and affirmed that excluding Black voters violated the Fifteenth Amendment. This landmark decision helped dismantle the legal framework of the “white primary” and was a pivotal victory in the struggle for Black voting rights.

Ras Tafari Makonnen was formally proclaimed Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, marking the beginning of a transformative reign. A symbol of African sovereignty and resistance to colonialism, Haile Selassie would go on to modernize Ethiopia and become a central figure in Pan-African movements. His leadership inspired global Black liberation efforts and the development of the Rastafarian movement, which regards him as a messianic figure.

The Savings Bank of the Order of True Reformers opened its doors in Richmond, Virginia, becoming the first Black-owned and operated bank in the United States to be chartered and successfully run independently. Founded by Rev. William Washington Browne, the bank served as a symbol of Black economic empowerment during the post-Reconstruction era, offering financial services, home loans, and support to African American communities facing racial discrimination from mainstream banks.

Gertrude “Ma” Rainey was born in Columbus, Georgia. Widely celebrated as the “Mother of the Blues,” she began performing at the Columbus Opera House in 1900 during a talent show called The Bunch of Blackberries. Known for her deep, soulful voice and pioneering role in shaping blues music, Rainey recorded her first track in 1923 and continued until 1928. Her legacy influenced generations of blues and jazz artists. She passed away on December 22, 1939.

A. B. Blackburn, an African American inventor, received U.S. Patent #380,420 for his invention of the spring seat for chairs. This innovation improved comfort and support in seating design, showcasing Black ingenuity during an era when African American contributions were often overlooked or suppressed. Blackburn’s work represents a broader legacy of Black inventors enhancing everyday life through practical invention.

On this day, the Fifth Massachusetts Colored Cavalry and units of the Twenty-Fifth Corps—composed largely of Black soldiers—were among the first Union troops to enter Richmond, Virginia, after Confederate forces evacuated the city. The Second Division of the Twenty-Fifth Corps continued to pursue General Robert E. Lee’s army from Petersburg to Appomattox Court House between April 3 and April 10. Their brave and pivotal actions helped bring the Civil War to a close, marking a historic moment in both military and African American history.