On April 28, 1967, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the New York State Athletic Commission stripped Muhammad Ali of his world heavyweight title after he refused induction into the U.S. military. Citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War, Ali famously stated, “I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong.” His stand sparked nationwide debate, costing him not only his title but also his boxing license and passport. For three and a half years, Ali was barred from the ring at the peak of his career—but his sacrifice elevated him as a symbol of resistance, civil rights, and moral courage far beyond the world of sports.

On April 28, 1999, African American inventor George Toliver was awarded U.S. Patent No. 5,897,270 for a novel design of a ship’s propeller that significantly improved propulsion efficiency. Toliver’s invention featured a ducted blade system that reduced cavitation and turbulence, making marine vessels more fuel-efficient and stable. His contribution was especially impactful in maritime engineering, where advancements in propulsion technology can lead to better environmental and economic outcomes. Toliver’s work exemplifies how Black inventors continue to push boundaries in fields often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

On April 28, 1992, a group of young, disillusioned soldiers staged a coup d’état in Freetown, Sierra Leone, overthrowing the government of President Joseph Saidu Momoh. Led by 25-year-old Captain Valentine Strasser, the mutinous troops cited rampant corruption, poor conditions in the military, and the government’s failure to manage the ongoing civil war as reasons for their rebellion. The coup brought an end to 24 years of All People’s Congress (APC) rule and marked the beginning of a turbulent military-led government. Strasser became the world’s youngest head of state at the time. While initially welcomed by many, his regime would later face its own challenges, setting the stage for continued instability during the brutal Sierra Leone Civil War.

On April 28, 1983, two trailblazing African American women, Alice Walker and Gloria Naylor, were honored with American Book Awards for fiction—an extraordinary moment of dual recognition in literary history.
Alice Walker received the award for her seminal novel The Color Purple, a powerful exploration of Black womanhood, resilience, and healing in the Jim Crow South. Gloria Naylor was recognized for The Women of Brewster Place, a layered portrait of Black women’s lives within a housing project, interweaving stories of hardship, hope, and community.
Their wins not only marked a literary milestone but also spotlighted the growing recognition of Black women’s voices in American fiction and storytelling.

On April 28, 1971, Samuel L. Gravely Jr. made history as the first African American to achieve the rank of Admiral in the United States Navy. Born in 1922 in Richmond, Virginia, Gravely broke numerous racial barriers throughout his military career. He was also the first African American to command a Navy warship, the first to command a fleet, and the first to serve as a fleet commander. His promotion to Rear Admiral was not only a personal triumph but a historic milestone that opened doors for greater diversity and leadership in the U.S. armed forces. Gravely’s career spanned over three decades, during which he became a symbol of resilience, discipline, and excellence in military service.

On April 28, 1967, Mrs. Dorothy I. Height—then known formally as Mrs. Robert W. Claytor—was elected as the first Black president of the national Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in its more than 100-year history. A lifelong advocate for civil rights and gender equity, Height used her platform to confront racism within the organization and the broader society. Her election marked a transformative moment for the YWCA, aligning it more firmly with the growing civil rights movement and amplifying its mission to serve women of all backgrounds.

On April 28, 1957, W. Robert Ming—a prominent civil rights attorney and World War II veteran from Chicago—was elected chairman of the American Veterans Committee (AVC), making him the first Black person to lead a major national veterans organization. A former member of the legal team in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, Ming had long championed civil rights within the military and beyond. His election was a milestone not only for Black veterans, but for the broader fight for equality and representation in national leadership roles during the civil rights era.

On April 28, 1941, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Congressman Arthur W. Mitchell, the first African American Democrat elected to Congress, in the case Mitchell v. United States. The case challenged the discrimination Mitchell faced while traveling by train from Illinois to Arkansas, where he was forced from a first-class car into a segregated “colored” car despite having purchased a first-class ticket.

The Court ruled that under the Interstate Commerce Act, segregated facilities for Black passengers had to be “substantially equal” to those for white passengers. Though it did not strike down segregation entirely, the decision marked a rare victory against Jim Crow laws in interstate travel and set a precedent for future civil rights challenges.

On April 28, 1924, Don Redman made history as the first recorded musician to use the oboe in a jazz solo. A child prodigy and multi-instrumentalist, Redman performed the groundbreaking solo on the track “After the Storm” with Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra, one of the most influential bands of the era. The piece was recorded by Pathé Actuelle in New York City and marked a major innovation in jazz orchestration. Redman’s bold inclusion of the oboe — typically reserved for classical ensembles — helped push the boundaries of jazz, reinforcing his legacy as a pioneering arranger and visionary bandleader.