Through 12th Manifesto denouncing Supreme Court ruling on segregation in public schools issued by one hundred Southern senators and representatives.

At the 12th Annual Grammy Awards, The Fifth Dimension—a racially integrated pop-soul group featuring African American vocalists—won Record of the Year for their hit medley “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.” Blending soul, pop, and psychedelic influences, the song became an anthem of the era, showcasing the group’s genre-defying sound and uplifting message during a time of social and cultural change.

Soul legend Otis Redding posthumously received a gold record for his iconic single “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” The award came just three months after Redding’s tragic death in a plane crash at the age of 26. The song, completed shortly before his passing, became the first posthumous single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a timeless classic in American music history.

On this day, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun premiered at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City, starring Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil. It became the first Broadway play written by an African-American woman and ran for 530 performances, making it the longest-running Broadway play by an African-American at the time. The play broke new ground by portraying the struggles of a Black family with nuance and dignity, becoming a landmark in American theater and civil rights history.

Comedian and television star Flip Wilson received the International Broadcasting Man of the Year Award, recognizing his groundbreaking impact on American entertainment. Wilson became the first African American to achieve superstar status on national television, later hosting The Flip Wilson Show, which featured a diverse cast and introduced characters like Geraldine to pop culture. His success opened doors for generations of Black performers in mainstream media.

Bobby McFerrin, an innovative vocalist, composer, and conductor, was born on this day. Best known for his global hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” McFerrin is celebrated for his genre-defying vocal techniques and improvisational style. He has won multiple Grammy Awards and helped expand the boundaries of jazz and a cappella music. His work has influenced generations of vocalists and musicians worldwide.

Dr. Reginald Weir became the first Black athlete to compete in the U.S. Indoor Lawn Tennis Association Championship. His participation marked a significant step toward integrating professional tennis in the United States. Weir had previously been denied entry to the tournament in the 1920s, but his perseverance paved the way for future generations of Black tennis players, including legends like Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson.

Rev. Ralph David Abernathy was born in Linden, Alabama. A close aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Abernathy co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. He was instrumental in organizing major protests, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and carried on the struggle for justice after King’s assassination.

On this day, Frederick Douglass was named president of the Freedmen’s Bank, an institution originally established to help newly emancipated African Americans build financial independence after the Civil War. Although Douglass was appointed late in the bank’s troubled history, he attempted to restore public confidence. Unfortunately, the bank collapsed shortly after, but Douglass’s leadership highlighted his enduring commitment to Black economic empowerment.

Charles Sumner, a leading abolitionist and U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, died on this day. A fierce advocate for racial equality during and after the Civil War, Sumner was a key figure in pushing for civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1875. He is also remembered for being brutally attacked in the Senate in 1856 for his anti-slavery stance—a moment that intensified national tensions over slavery. His legacy endures in the fight for justice and equal rights for African Americans.

On this day, twelve Black laborers in New Orleans were brutally attacked by a white mob. The violence, fueled by post-Reconstruction racial tensions and economic competition, resulted in the deaths of six Black workers. This tragic event underscored the persistent racial hostility and danger faced by African Americans seeking fair labor opportunities during the volatile Reconstruction era.

The Confederate Congress, meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, adopted the Confederate Constitution, explicitly protecting slavery. The document prohibited the passage of any law “denying or impairing the right of property in Negro slaves.” Unlike the U.S. Constitution, the Confederate version made slavery a central and permanent institution, reflecting the Confederacy’s foundational commitment to white supremacy and the enslavement of Black people.

Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean with a significant population of African and Afro-descendant heritage, achieved independence from British colonial rule on March 12, 1968. The event marked a major milestone in the global wave of decolonization and was celebrated as a triumph of self-determination for a diverse, multicultural society shaped by African, Indian, European, and Chinese influences.