On this day, Bill Russell was named head coach of the Boston Celtics, making history as the first Black head coach in the NBA and in major American professional sports. Already a legendary player, Russell took on the dual role of player-coach, leading the Celtics to two more championships. His appointment marked a groundbreaking moment in sports and civil rights history, challenging racial barriers in leadership roles.

Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, former president of Morehouse College and a towering figure in American education and the civil rights movement, passed away on this day. Mays served as a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was known for his moral leadership, commitment to nonviolent social change, and belief in the power of education to uplift the Black community. His legacy shaped generations of leaders and cemented Morehouse College as a crucible for Black excellence.

Fleeta Drumgo and John Clutchette, two of the surviving Soledad Brothers, were acquitted by an all-white jury of charges that they had murdered a white prison guard at Soledad Prison in 1970. The third Soledad Brother, George Jackson, was killed in August 1971 during what authorities claimed was an escape attempt. The case became a rallying point for activists and spotlighted systemic racism and injustice within the U.S. prison system.

A peaceful protest march in Memphis, Tennessee, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in support of striking Black sanitation workers, was interrupted by violence and unrest. What began as a demonstration for fair wages and dignified working conditions turned into a chaotic scene after clashes broke out. The National Guard was called in, and one teenager, Larry Payne, was killed by police. The incident deeply impacted Dr. King, who returned to Memphis days later—where he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The march became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement and labor rights struggle.

Ronnie Ray Smith, an American track and field sprinter, was born in Los Angeles, California. He rose to prominence in the 1960s as part of the legendary “Speed City” team at San Jose State University. Smith won a gold medal in the 4×100 meter relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and was a key figure in the era’s intersection of athletic excellence and civil rights advocacy.

On this day, celebrated Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Cullen received the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa award for poetry while a student at New York University. His refined lyrical style and deep engagement with racial and classical themes earned him national acclaim. Cullen’s recognition marked a milestone for African American literary excellence in mainstream academic circles.

Ed Wilson, an award-winning African American sculptor known for his powerful figurative works and commitment to social themes, was born on March 28, 1925. His work often explored themes of struggle, dignity, and cultural identity. Wilson became the first African American to receive tenure at the School of Art at Yale University and played a key role in mentoring future generations of artists.

On this day, British colonial officials demanded the sacred Golden Stool of the Ashanti—a symbol of the Ashanti people’s soul and sovereignty. The request sparked outrage, and Queen Yaa Asantewaa, a military leader and queen mother, led a fierce resistance against British forces in what became known as the War of the Golden Stool. Though the Ashanti had previously engaged in the transatlantic slave trade, their resistance under Yaa Asantewaa became a powerful symbol of African liberation and anti-colonial defiance.