On April 26, 1898, inventor J.A. Joyce was granted U.S. Patent No. 602,038 for an innovative ore bucket design used in mining operations. His invention improved the efficiency and safety of transporting excavated materials like coal and minerals in industrial mining environments. Joyce’s design featured enhancements that prevented spillage and allowed for easier loading and unloading, which played a small but important role in industrial development during the late 19th century. This patent reflects the often-overlooked contributions of Black inventors to the infrastructure and resource extraction industries of the era.

On April 26, 1994, South Africa held its first all-race democratic elections, marking the official end of apartheid and a monumental shift toward equality. For the first time, Black South Africans were allowed to vote in national and provincial elections. Over three days, an estimated 20 million people cast ballots, many waiting in lines for hours to participate in a moment their ancestors had long dreamed of. The African National Congress (ANC), led by Nelson Mandela, won by a landslide. Mandela’s election as President would soon follow, symbolizing a peaceful transition from oppression to democracy and inspiring freedom movements around the world.

On April 26, 1991, Maryann Bishop Coffey made history as the first woman and the first African American to be named co-chair of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ). Founded in 1927, the NCCJ was originally established to combat religious intolerance, and over time expanded its mission to include racial equity and social justice. Coffey’s groundbreaking appointment represented a critical shift toward inclusive leadership in interfaith and interracial dialogue. Her role not only elevated Black women’s visibility in national advocacy spaces but also symbolized broader efforts to unify diverse communities against bigotry and discrimination.

On April 26, 1984, the world lost a jazz titan when William “Count” Basie passed away at the age of 79. Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, in 1904, Basie rose to prominence in the 1930s with his swing-era big band, the Count Basie Orchestra. His innovative style emphasized rhythm, improvisation, and blues-influenced piano, helping define the sound of American jazz. Basie was the first African American male Grammy winner, earning multiple awards over his five-decade career. From his iconic collaborations with Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra to his influence on Duke Ellington and modern jazz, Basie’s legacy remains a cornerstone of Black musical excellence.

On April 26, 1968, Black students at Columbia University in New York City took over Hamilton Hall in protest of the university’s ties to military research and the planned construction of a segregated gym in Harlem. Led by the Student Afro-American Society (SAS), the occupation was part of a broader student movement demanding racial justice, community accountability, and university reform. The students peacefully removed white protesters to ensure their demands remained centered on Black issues. This pivotal moment marked one of the first large-scale student protests led by African Americans on an Ivy League campus, inspiring similar actions nationwide.

On April 26, 1886, Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, known as the “Mother of the Blues,” was born in Columbus, Georgia. With a powerful voice and theatrical stage presence, Rainey helped shape the foundation of the blues genre in the early 20th century. She recorded over 90 songs between 1923 and 1928, often blending blues with vaudeville and Southern traditions. Her work paved the way for generations of musicians, including Bessie Smith, who Rainey mentored. More than a performer, Ma Rainey was a cultural force who brought Black women’s voices, experiences, and defiance to the center stage of American music.

On April 26, 1886, William Levi Dawson was born in Albany, Georgia. A graduate of Fisk University and Northwestern University Law School, Dawson went on to become a monumental figure in American politics. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1942, he represented Illinois’s 1st Congressional District and became the first African American to chair a congressional committee—the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments. He was a key advocate for civil rights, urban housing, and government accountability. Dawson served for over 27 years, breaking barriers and opening doors for generations of Black legislators.

On April 26, 1844, African American mountain man and explorer Jim Beckwourth discovered a lower-elevation pass through the Sierra Nevada Mountains—later named Beckwourth Pass in his honor. Located along what is now U.S. Alternate 40, between Reno, Nevada and Sacramento, California, this route significantly eased overland migration to the California gold fields. Beckwourth’s contribution was critical during westward expansion, yet his legacy is often overlooked in mainstream accounts. A formerly enslaved man who became a fur trader, scout, and frontiersman, Beckwourth left an indelible mark on American history as one of the few documented Black pioneers of the American West.

On April 26, 1785, John James Audubon was born in Les Cayes, Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), to a French naval officer and an African Caribbean mother. Though best known for his influential work in ornithology and natural illustration in the United States, Audubon’s origins reflect a complex heritage often omitted from mainstream history. His mother, Jeanne Rabine, was a Creole woman of African descent who died shortly after his birth. Audubon would later emigrate to France, then to the U.S., where he became famous for The Birds of America, one of the most celebrated natural history books ever published. His story complicates traditional narratives of race, art, and science in the early Americas.