Wesley A. Brown becomes first African American graduate of Annapolis Naval Academy.
On this day in 1942, Curtis Mayfield was born in Chicago, Illinois, where he quickly absorbed the music of that area, which consisted of the local blues, gospel and soul musicians. He was leading his first group, The Alfatones , before he was a teenager.
On this day in 1919, Liberty Life Insurance Company (Chicago), the first old-line legal reserve company organized by Blacks in the North, incorporated. U.S. Supreme Court (Irene Morgan v. Commonwealth of Virginia) banned segregation in interstate bus travel.
On this day in 1906, Entertainer Josephine Baker was born. At the age of sixteen, she starred in the musical Shuffle Along. Her vibrant and humorous act attracted attention and established her has a sparkling entertainer.
On this day in 1904, Charles R. Drew was born.
On this day in 1877, Roland Hayes, the first African American to give a recital in Boston’s Symphony Hall, was born.
ON this date in 1871, Miles Vandehurst Lynk, founder of the first African American medical journal and organizer of the National Medical Association, was born.
On this day in 1854, Anthony Burns, a fugitive slave, was arrested in Boston. His master refused an offer of $1200 made by Boston citizens for his freedom.
On this day in 1833, Fourth national Black convention met in Philadelphia with sixty-two delegates from eight states. Abraham D. Shadd of Pennsylvania was elected president.
