The United States issued its first postage stamp honoring an African American—Booker T. Washington. As an educator, author, and founder of Tuskegee Institute, Washington became a prominent symbol of Black achievement and resilience. The stamp’s release marked a significant milestone in U.S. history, recognizing the contributions of African Americans on a national platform for the first time.

The Dunghutti Aboriginal people of New South Wales reached a historic agreement with the Australian government, securing the first successful claim under the Native Title Act of 1993. This landmark event recognized the Dunghutti people’s enduring connection to their ancestral lands and set a precedent for Indigenous land rights across Australia.

Anthony “Tony” Dorsett, legendary NFL running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer, was born in Rochester, Pennsylvania. A standout at the University of Pittsburgh, Dorsett won the Heisman Trophy in 1976 before a celebrated professional career with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. Known for his speed and vision, he remains one of the greatest running backs in football history.

Frederick Dewayne “Freddie” Hubbard, one of the most influential jazz trumpeters of the 20th century, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Known for his powerful tone and virtuosic technique, Hubbard played with Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, and many other jazz greats. His work bridged hard bop, modal jazz, and fusion, making him a key figure in modern jazz history.

William Monroe Trotter, a pioneering Black journalist, civil rights activist, and co-founder of the Boston Guardian newspaper, died at age 62 in Boston. A staunch opponent of accommodationist policies, Trotter challenged Booker T. Washington’s leadership and was a vocal advocate for full civil rights and racial equality. His fearless journalism and activism laid groundwork for future civil rights movements.

Legendary jazz and blues singer Billie Holiday was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Known for her deeply emotional voice and haunting delivery, Holiday became one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. Her iconic songs like Strange Fruit brought attention to the horrors of racism and lynching, cementing her legacy not only as a musical pioneer but also as a voice for social justice.

William Monroe Trotter, a pioneering African American journalist and civil rights activist, was born on this day in Chillicothe, Ohio. A Harvard graduate and co-founder of The Guardian newspaper, Trotter was a vocal opponent of racial segregation and an early critic of Booker T. Washington’s accommodationist approach. He played a key role in founding the Niagara Movement, a forerunner to the NAACP, and fearlessly challenged racism in both the North and South through activism and the press.

Johnson C. Smith University was founded in Charlotte, North Carolina, as Biddle Memorial Institute. Established by the Presbyterian Church to educate newly freed African Americans after the Civil War, it later became one of the nation’s prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The university has played a pivotal role in advancing Black higher education and leadership for over 150 years.

On this day, a group of 27 enslaved Africans in New York City launched a rebellion against brutal conditions and oppression. The revolt began with the strategic setting of a fire to lure white colonists into an ambush, resulting in the deaths of nine whites. The colonial militia was called in, and the rebellion was swiftly suppressed. In the aftermath, severe reprisals followed: over 70 Black people were arrested, and 21 were executed. The revolt led to harsher slave codes in New York and revealed deep tensions in early American slavery outside the Southern colonies.