On April 24, 1950, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) was officially founded to provide financial support to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and deserving African American students. While the idea was first organized in 1944, the foundation’s legal and institutional formalization occurred in 1950. The UNCF became famous for its iconic motto: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Over the decades, it has awarded billions in scholarships and become a vital pillar in the advancement of Black higher education in the United States, supporting leaders across fields from science to politics.

On April 24, 1972, James M. Rodger Jr. became the first African American to be honored as the National Teacher of the Year during a White House ceremony hosted by President Richard Nixon. A dedicated social studies teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio, Rodger was recognized for his innovative classroom methods, leadership in education, and commitment to uplifting underrepresented students. His recognition marked a milestone in educational history and helped pave the way for greater diversity in national teaching honors.

On April 24, 1972, Robert Wedgeworth was named the first African American Executive Director of the American Library Association (ALA). A trailblazer in both library science and literacy advocacy, Wedgeworth led the ALA through a pivotal era of modernization, expanding its reach and influence globally. His tenure emphasized equity in library services, international cooperation, and intellectual freedom. Under his leadership, the ALA grew in both membership and policy impact, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in American cultural and educational institutions.

On April 24, 1886, Augustus Tolton was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in Rome, becoming the first publicly recognized Black Catholic priest in the United States. Born into slavery in Missouri in 1854, Tolton and his family escaped during the Civil War. Despite deep racial discrimination, he felt a calling to the priesthood—but was rejected by every seminary in the U.S. because of his race. He eventually gained admission to the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. After ordination, he was assigned to serve in America, where he ministered to Black congregations in Illinois, founded St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Chicago, and inspired generations with his faith and perseverance. Tolton’s canonization cause is currently under Vatican review.

On April 24, 1884, a group of African American physicians gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, to organize what would become the National Medical Association (NMA)—a historic milestone in the fight for racial equity in healthcare. At a time when Black doctors were denied membership in the American Medical Association, these pioneers united to advance the professional interests of African American physicians and to improve medical care in underserved Black communities. The NMA has since grown into the largest and oldest national organization representing African American medical professionals in the United States.

On April 24, 1867, African American residents of Richmond, Virginia, organized one of the earliest documented mass transit protests in U.S. history. In response to racially segregated seating policies, Black demonstrators staged “ride-ins” on the city’s streetcars. These nonviolent actions disrupted operations and challenged the post-Civil War racial order. The protest drew such attention that federal troops were deployed to restore order. Though not immediately successful in ending segregation, the ride-ins were a powerful precursor to the 20th-century civil rights movement and public transportation boycotts.

On April 24, 1867, the Ku Klux Klan held its first national meeting at the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1865 by Confederate veterans as a secret society, the Klan rapidly evolved into a violent white supremacist organization targeting newly freed Black Americans, Reconstruction politicians, and allies. The 1867 meeting formalized its structure into a so-called “Invisible Empire,” with a hierarchy led by a “Grand Wizard.” This moment marked the transition from localized terror to a nationally coordinated campaign of racial violence and intimidation during the Reconstruction era—a legacy that would echo for generations.