Richard Parsons, then CEO of AOL Time Warner, was selected to become the company’s next chairman. This made him one of the most powerful African American executives in corporate America. His leadership marked a significant milestone in breaking racial barriers within the media and business industries.

A bronze bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. becomes the first of any Black American to be placed in the U.S. Capitol. Just five days later, on January 20, the nation celebrates the first official Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, honoring his legacy of civil rights and nonviolent activism.

NASA announces the selection of three Black astronauts—Maj. Frederick D. Gregory, Maj. Guion S. Bluford, and Dr. Ronald McNair. This historic moment marks a major milestone in diversifying the U.S. space program and paving the way for future generations of African American scientists and explorers.

On this day, boxing legend Muhammad Ali was honored as the Associated Press Athlete of the Year. Known for his unmatched skill in the ring and his outspoken activism outside of it, Ali became the first boxer to receive the award twice, reflecting both his athletic dominance and cultural significance.

Lucius D. Amerson was sworn in as sheriff of Macon County, Alabama, becoming the first Black sheriff in the Southern United States in the twentieth century. His election and service marked a historic breakthrough in political representation and civil rights in the South.

On this day, Harold R. Perry was consecrated as a bishop, becoming the second Black Roman Catholic bishop in U.S. history and the first to serve in the 20th century. His appointment marked a significant step forward for representation and leadership within the Catholic Church in America.

A federal lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court accusing the New York City Board of Education of using “racial quotas” in a way that discriminated against Black and Puerto Rican children. The suit marked a significant moment in the struggle for educational equity and desegregation in Northern U.S. cities, highlighting the systemic barriers faced by minority students even outside the South.

Debbie Allen, an acclaimed African American dancer, choreographer, actress, and television producer, was born in Houston, Texas. Known for her breakthrough role on the television show Fame, Allen has had a profound impact on the performing arts and has paved the way for future generations of Black artists. She is also a celebrated director and producer, including for hit series like Grey’s Anatomy, and a strong advocate for arts education.

The 99th Pursuit Squadron, the first all-African American flying unit in the U.S. Army Air Corps, is officially formed. This marks the beginning of the Tuskegee Training Program in Tuskegee, Alabama. The squadron would go on to fly over 500 missions and more than 3,700 sorties during a year of combat, eventually being integrated into the legendary 332nd Fighter Group, known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

The U.S. War Department announced the formation of the first Army Air Corps squadron for Black cadets, marking a significant step toward racial integration in the U.S. military and paving the way for the famed Tuskegee Airmen.

On January 16, 1941, Dr. Charles Richard Drew, an African American physician and medical researcher, helped establish one of the first large-scale blood banks at Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. His work during World War II saved thousands of lives. Dr. Drew developed innovative techniques for storing blood plasma and organized the first large-scale blood bank efforts, which later served as a model for the American Red Cross blood bank system. Despite his groundbreaking contributions, he later resigned from the Red Cross when it insisted on segregating blood by race—a practice he strongly opposed.

Benny Goodman led a groundbreaking jazz concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City, considered one of the first serious jazz performances in that prestigious venue. Goodman insisted on performing with his African American bandmates, pianist Teddy Wilson and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, despite resistance from hall officials. His refusal to play without them led to a historic integrated performance that marked a pivotal moment in both music and civil rights history.

Eartha Kitt, an iconic singer, actress, and activist, was born in North, South Carolina. Known for her distinctive voice and dynamic performances, Kitt rose to international fame with hits like “Santa Baby” and roles in film, television, and Broadway. She was also an outspoken advocate for civil rights and social justice throughout her life.

Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American to serve in the United States Senate, died in Aberdeen, Mississippi at the age of 73. He was elected in 1870 to represent Mississippi during the Reconstruction era, filling the seat once held by Jefferson Davis. Revels was a minister, educator, and advocate for racial equality and education.

Jefferson F. Long of Georgia was sworn in as the second Black Congressman in U.S. history. He was also the first Black man to speak on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. A formerly enslaved man, Long’s election marked a significant milestone during the Reconstruction era, reflecting the brief but powerful political gains made by African Americans following the Civil War.

Union General William T. Sherman issued Special Field Order No. 15, which set aside a strip of coastal land from Charleston, South Carolina, to the St. John’s River in Florida — including abandoned rice plantations and islands — exclusively for settlement by Black families. The order promised that “each family shall have a plot of not more than forty acres of tillable ground,” marking the origin of the phrase “forty acres and a mule.” Though short-lived, the order represented one of the first attempts at land redistribution to formerly enslaved African Americans.

The Continental Congress officially approved General George Washington’s decision to allow the enlistment of free Black men into the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. This marked a pivotal shift in military policy and opened the door for thousands of free African Americans to serve in the fight for American independence.

The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) of South Africa officially suspended its armed campaign against the apartheid government led by President F.W. de Klerk. This marked a significant moment in the nation’s transition toward democracy, as liberation movements increasingly turned to negotiations and peaceful political processes ahead of the historic 1994 general elections.