On this day, students at Howard University seized the administration building in protest, demanding a more Black-oriented curriculum and greater say in campus governance. The student movement reflected a growing push for Black empowerment within higher education. Simultaneously, civil rights activists began mobilizing in Charleston, South Carolina, to support striking Black hospital workers fighting for fair wages and respect on the job. These dual movements highlighted a rising tide of Black activism in both education and labor during the late 1960s.

William Tucker, believed to be the first African child born in the English colonies, was born and baptized in Jamestown, Virginia. His parents, Anthony and Isabella, were among the first Africans brought to Virginia in 1619. Though details of his life remain limited, unconfirmed reports suggest he may have lived to be 108 years old. William Tucker’s birth marked a significant moment in early African American history.

James B. Parsons made history as the first African American to serve as chief judge of a federal court, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago. Previously, in 1961, he had already broken barriers as the first African American appointed to a U.S. District Court. His trailblazing career marked a significant step forward for African American representation in the federal judiciary.

Langston Hughes, the celebrated poet and playwright of the Harlem Renaissance, founded the New Negro Theater in Los Angeles, California. The theater was established to provide opportunities for Black artists and to present authentic portrayals of Black life on stage. It became a pioneering platform for African American theatrical expression and cultural empowerment on the West Coast.

Ornette Coleman, the revolutionary alto saxophonist and composer, was born in Fort Worth, Texas. A key figure in the development of free jazz, Coleman challenged traditional jazz structures with his 1959 album The Shape of Jazz to Come. His innovations reshaped modern music, earning him a Pulitzer Prize and a place among the most influential jazz artists of the 20th century.

Nathaniel “Nat King” Cole was born in Montgomery, Alabama. A groundbreaking jazz pianist and smooth-voiced singer, Cole became one of the first Black entertainers to gain widespread popularity among white audiences. Known for hits like “Unforgettable” and “Mona Lisa,” he also broke barriers as the first African American to host a nationally televised variety show, The Nat King Cole Show, in 1956. His artistry and quiet dignity helped pave the way for future generations of Black performers.

Jan Ernst Matzeliger, a Black inventor from Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana (now Suriname), received a patent for his revolutionary shoe-lasting machine on this day. The machine dramatically increased the speed and efficiency of shoe production, transforming the entire industry. Matzeliger’s invention helped establish Lynn, Massachusetts, as the “Shoe Capital of the World.” Despite facing racial prejudice, his contributions significantly advanced industrial manufacturing and opened new opportunities for affordable footwear.

African American inventor T. J. Boyd was granted a U.S. patent for an innovative apparatus designed to quickly detach horses from carriages. His invention improved safety and efficiency for horse-drawn transportation, especially in emergencies. Boyd’s contribution is an example of 19th-century Black ingenuity and practical problem-solving during a time of limited recognition for Black inventors.

Congressman Thaddeus Stevens introduced a resolution urging enforcement of land redistribution under what would later become the Second Confiscation Act of 1862. The proposed measure aimed to allocate public and confiscated Confederate land to formerly enslaved people. However, the resolution was defeated in Congress, reflecting early resistance to land reform and reparative justice during the Civil War era. Stevens remained a powerful advocate for Black rights and Reconstruction policies.

Gabriel de la Concepción Valdés, also known as “Plácido,” was born in Matanzas, Cuba. A poet of African descent, Plácido became renowned for his lyrical and romantic poetry. Despite his literary acclaim, he was accused of participating in a supposed slave revolt and was executed in 1844 during Cuba’s “Year of the Lash” (La Escalera), a brutal crackdown on Afro-Cubans. His life and work remain symbols of Black artistic excellence and resistance in the face of colonial repression.