On April 25, 1944, Dr. Frederick D. Patterson, president of Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), published an open letter in the Pittsburgh Courier—one of the most widely read Black newspapers of the time. In this powerful message, he urged the presidents of America’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to combine their limited resources and launch a joint fundraising effort: a united appeal to the national conscience. His call to action became the foundation of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), officially established later that same year. Its motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” has since become one of the most iconic educational slogans in history, helping to raise over $5 billion for Black students and institutions.

On April 25, 1990, legendary jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon died of kidney failure in Philadelphia at the age of 67. Known for his towering stature and equally commanding sound, Gordon was one of the first tenor saxophonists to embrace bebop in the 1940s. His collaborations with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell helped shape modern jazz. Later in life, he earned an Academy Award nomination for his acting in Round Midnight (1986), where he portrayed a character inspired by his own life. Dexter Gordon’s influence spans generations, and his deep tone and lyrical improvisations remain iconic in jazz history.

On April 25, 1972, Major General Frederick E. Davidson became the first African American to command a U.S. Army division. He took leadership of the 8th Infantry Division in Germany, breaking racial barriers in one of the military’s highest leadership roles. Davidson’s appointment was a major milestone in the integration of the armed forces, coming nearly 24 years after President Truman’s desegregation order. His career inspired a new generation of Black military officers and underscored the importance of representation in national defense leadership.

On April 25, 1963, interracial groups of Freedom Riders continued their courageous journeys through the Deep South to test compliance with U.S. Supreme Court rulings that had outlawed segregation in interstate travel. Although the original Freedom Rides began in 1961, by 1963, activists were still facing hostile resistance, local arrests, and violent backlash—especially in Alabama and Mississippi. These brave individuals, both Black and white, risked their lives to hold states accountable and challenge the gap between federal law and local enforcement. Their efforts directly pressured the Kennedy administration and inspired broader civil rights activism across the country.

On April 25, 1960, a federal court in Memphis issued a consent judgment that struck down discriminatory voter suppression practices in Fayette County, Tennessee. This historic ruling marked the first voting rights case successfully brought under the Civil Rights Act of 1957. The case emerged after Black residents, many of them sharecroppers, faced systematic disenfranchisement, economic retaliation, and intimidation for attempting to register to vote. Known as part of the “Tent City” resistance, these families were evicted from their homes and forced to live in makeshift shelters, yet they persisted in demanding equal rights. The court’s ruling affirmed their right to vote and helped pave the way for broader civil rights victories in the South.

On April 25, 1950, Charles “Chuck” Cooper made history as the first African American basketball player ever drafted by a National Basketball Association (NBA) team. Selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round, Cooper’s entry into the league marked the breaking of a major color barrier in professional sports. A standout at Duquesne University, Cooper’s talent and composure helped pave the way for future legends like Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His selection came just three years after Jackie Robinson integrated Major League Baseball, continuing the broader struggle for racial equality in American athletics.

On April 25, 1947, Jackie Robinson officially became the first Black player in modern Major League Baseball history when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers, shattering the sport’s long-standing racial barrier. Just weeks earlier, on April 15, he had made his debut; by April 25, he was firmly cemented in the team’s roster. Robinson’s courage, grace under pressure, and undeniable skill not only paved the way for future generations of Black athletes but also helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement. That same year, Larry Doby would break the color barrier in the American League by joining the Cleveland Indians on July 6. Three other Black players followed in 1947: Dan Bankhead (pitcher, Brooklyn Dodgers), Willard Brown, and Hank Thompson, both of whom joined the St. Louis Browns. Together, they changed the face of American sports forever.

On April 25, 1918, Ella Fitzgerald—later hailed as the “First Lady of Song”—was born in Newport News, Virginia. Known for her unmatched vocal range, impeccable phrasing, and groundbreaking scat singing, Fitzgerald would go on to redefine American jazz and popular music.

Her rise to stardom began on a twist of fate. In 1934, at just 16 years old, an awkward and shy Ella took the stage during Amateur Night at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. She originally planned to dance but panicked once the spotlight hit. “The man said, ‘Do something while you’re out there,’” she later recalled. So she sang. And the crowd erupted. That night launched a legendary career that would span six decades, 13 Grammys, and millions of hearts.