Twelve Black members of the U.S. House of Representatives boycotted President Richard Nixon’s State of the Union address to protest his administration’s lack of support for civil rights, social programs, and economic justice for African Americans. The action was a unified stand highlighting dissatisfaction with Nixon’s policies and a demand for greater attention to racial inequality in America.

On this day, Carl T. Rowan became the director of the United States Information Agency (USIA), making him the highest-ranking African American in the U.S. government at the time. Rowan was a distinguished journalist and author, and his appointment marked a significant milestone in the representation of African Americans in federal leadership.

On January 21, 1933, the American Bridge Association (ABA) was established by Black bridge players in response to racial segregation in card-playing circles. Denied entry into the American Contract Bridge League due to their race, Black players created the ABA to provide a competitive and welcoming space for their community. The organization played a key role in promoting inclusion and excellence in the game of bridge.

William Brown-Chappell, a notable African American civil rights advocate, educator, and civic leader, was born on this day. He became known for his work in advancing opportunities for Black communities in education and public service throughout the mid-20th century.

On this day in 1830, officials in Portsmouth, Ohio, began forcibly deporting Black residents from the town. This action was carried out under Ohio’s oppressive “Black Laws,” which imposed strict regulations on free African Americans, including mandatory registration, proof of freedom, and surety bonds. These laws created a hostile environment that enabled white citizens and authorities to drive out Black communities through intimidation and force. The expulsion in Portsmouth is one of the earliest recorded mass removals of African Americans in the North, revealing the reach of institutional racism even in free states.

On this day in 1824, Osai Tutu Kwamina, an Ashanti military leader, successfully led forces to defeat the British at Assamaka in present-day Ghana. This battle was part of the broader resistance of the Ashanti Empire against British colonial expansion in West Africa. The victory marked a significant assertion of Ashanti military power and resistance during the early 19th century.

On this day, poet Phillis Wheatley—born into slavery in 1754—was freed, and her first book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was published. Wheatley’s work was widely acclaimed in both the United States and England, making her the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry and a prominent figure in literary and abolitionist circles.