Sugar Ray Robinson, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, passed away at the age of 67. A five-time world middleweight champion and unbeaten welterweight champion, Robinson revolutionized boxing with his speed, style, and skill. His career record of 173 wins (108 by knockout) left a lasting legacy in the sport and inspired generations of fighters worldwide.
Joe Louis, one of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions in history, passed away at the age of 66. Known as the “Brown Bomber,” Louis held the world heavyweight title for a record-breaking 12 years (1937–1949) and achieved 68 wins in 71 professional fights. Beyond the ring, he was a symbol of Black pride and resilience during a time of intense racial segregation, famously defeating Nazi Germany’s Max Schmeling in 1938 in a bout that transcended sports.
Liberian President William R. Tolbert Jr. and twenty-seven government officials were assassinated during a military coup led by Master Sergeant Samuel Doe. This marked the first time in Liberia’s history that an indigenous African seized power from the Americo-Liberian ruling class. The coup ended over 130 years of Americo-Liberian political dominance and began a turbulent era in Liberia’s political history.
Legendary opera soprano Leontyne Price was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Italy’s highest civilian honor. Celebrated for her powerful voice and commanding stage presence, Price broke racial barriers in classical music and became one of the first African American singers to gain international acclaim in opera. This honor recognized not only her extraordinary talent but also her contributions to cultural diplomacy and the global arts.
Josephine Baker, the legendary African American entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist, passed away in Paris at the age of 68. Known for her groundbreaking performances in France and her courageous work against fascism during World War II, Baker was also a prominent voice in the American civil rights movement. She was the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture and to be buried with full French military honors.
Emmett Ashford made history as the first African American umpire in Major League Baseball when he officiated his first game in the American League. Known for his charismatic style and quick calls, Ashford broke racial barriers in a sport still grappling with integration. His presence on the field paved the way for greater diversity in officiating across professional sports.
In a speech delivered on this day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. publicly criticized the Vietnam War, describing it as “rapidly degenerating into a sordid military adventure.” Although his more famous anti-war speech, Beyond Vietnam, came later in 1967, this early statement marked a bold stance against U.S. foreign policy. King’s opposition to the war would eventually link the civil rights and peace movements, positioning him as a powerful voice for global justice.
Herbie Hancock, the groundbreaking jazz composer, pianist, and bandleader, was born in Chicago, Illinois. A child prodigy who played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 11, Hancock would go on to become a pioneer of post-bop, fusion, and electronic jazz. His work with Miles Davis and as a solo artist—especially albums like Head Hunters and Future Shock—helped redefine the sound of modern music and influence generations of artists across genres.
Lionel Hampton, legendary jazz musician and bandleader, was born on April 12, 1913. Renowned for introducing the vibraphone into jazz, Hampton recorded with Louis Armstrong and became a key collaborator with Benny Goodman. Over his long career, he helped shape the sound of swing and became one of the first African Americans to perform in an integrated band, breaking racial barriers in American music.
Black students at Boston University occupied the administration building to demand the creation of Afro-American history courses and the admission of more Black students. This protest was part of a nationwide wave of student activism during the civil rights era, as young African Americans pushed universities to confront systemic racism and include Black voices and history in academic institutions.
In response to escalating violence by the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction, the North Carolina legislature passed an Anti-Klan Law on April 12, 1869. This law empowered Governor William W. Holden to declare counties in a state of insurrection, suspend habeas corpus, and use state militia to suppress white supremacist terrorism. The legislation marked one of the earliest state-level efforts to curb racial violence and protect Black citizens’ rights in the post-Civil War South.
During the American Civil War, Confederate forces under General Nathan Bedford Forrest captured Fort Pillow in Tennessee. Following the fort’s surrender, Confederate troops massacred over 300 Union soldiers—many of whom were Black members of the United States Colored Troops (USCT). The official Union investigation reported that neither soldier nor civilian, Black nor white, male nor female, was spared. The atrocity became a rallying cry for Black troops and fueled Northern outrage over Confederate war crimes.
Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, marking the start of the American Civil War. While not directly involving Black individuals, this event set in motion a conflict that would ultimately lead to the abolition of slavery in the United States. For African Americans—enslaved and free—the war represented both a perilous time and a profound opportunity. Thousands would enlist in the Union Army and fight for their freedom and the future of Black citizenship in America.
Richard Harvey Cain was born on this day in Greenbrier County, Virginia (now West Virginia). A prominent African Methodist Episcopal (AME) bishop, Reconstruction-era politician, and civil rights leader, Cain later founded Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas—one of the oldest historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. His legacy includes both spiritual leadership and a deep commitment to Black education and empowerment.
Richard Allen and Absalom Jones established the Free African Society in Philadelphia, one of the earliest Black mutual aid organizations in the United States. Created to provide spiritual support, financial aid, and community cohesion for free African Americans, it marked a pivotal moment in Black self-organization. W.E.B. Du Bois later called it “the first wavering step of a people toward a more organized social life,” recognizing its lasting impact on Black institution-building and civil society.
President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Andrew F. Brimmer, a distinguished economist and former University of Pennsylvania professor, to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Brimmer’s appointment marked the first time an African American was selected for this influential economic role, shaping U.S. monetary policy at the highest level. His tenure set a historic precedent for diversity in American financial leadership.
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