Nelson Mandela was sentenced to Life imprisonment for allegedly attempting to sabotage the White South African government.

United States Congressman Charles Rangel born on this date

On this day in 1967, there was a Race riot in Tampa, Florida. The National Guard was mobilized.

On June 11, 1963, Vivian Malone and James Hood successfully integrated the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, despite resistance from segregationist Governor George Wallace. Wallace staged a symbolic “stand in the schoolhouse door,” physically blocking the entry of the two Black students. In a dramatic confrontation, federal authorities—including Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach—confronted Wallace, and President Kennedy federalized the Alabama National Guard to enforce the students’ rights. Wallace ultimately stepped aside, and Malone and Hood entered Foster Auditorium to register for classes. Their courage symbolized the determination of the civil rights movement to dismantle segregation in higher education. Vivian Malone would go on to become the university’s first Black graduate in 1965. This event is a landmark in the desegregation of American universities and highlighted the growing power of federal enforcement to uphold civil rights.

On June 11, 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered a historic address on civil rights, calling it a “moral crisis.” Hours after Alabama Governor George Wallace attempted to block the entry of Black students at the University of Alabama, JFK responded with a national televised speech. He announced plans to propose sweeping civil rights legislation that would later become the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Kennedy emphasized the need to guarantee equal rights for all Americans, regardless of race, and asked, “Are we to say to the world… that the United States is a land of the free except for the Negroes?” This moment marked a pivotal shift in federal involvement in civil rights and signaled the White House’s stronger support for racial equality. The speech transformed the civil rights movement into a defining moral and political issue of the era.

On this day in 1920, Singer Hazel Scott was born

On this day in 1991, Natalie Cole’s album, Unforgettable is released.

On the night of June 11, 1963, NAACP field secretary Medgar Evers was shot and killed outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi. Evers had spent years fighting for civil rights, including school integration, voter registration, and justice for lynching victims. Just hours before his murder, President Kennedy delivered a major speech advocating for civil rights reform. Evers was returning home from a meeting when he was ambushed by a white supremacist sniper, Byron De La Beckwith. Evers\’ death shocked the nation and became a galvanizing moment in the civil rights movement. His assassination highlighted the extreme risks faced by Black activists in the Jim Crow South. Though De La Beckwith was not convicted until 1994, Evers\’ legacy endured as a martyr for justice. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery and remains a symbol of sacrifice in the fight for racial equality.

On June 11, 1990, just four months after being released from prison, Nelson Mandela visited the White House and met U.S. President George H. W. Bush. It was a symbolic and strategic moment, as Mandela used the visit to strengthen international pressure against South Africa’s apartheid regime. Though the U.S. had been criticized for its historic support of the apartheid government, this meeting signaled a shift toward diplomatic support for South Africa’s democratic transition. Mandela emphasized the importance of maintaining economic sanctions to force further political change. The visit elevated Mandela’s global stature and helped accelerate the momentum toward South African majority rule.

On June 11, 1988, the documentary James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket premiered in London. The film is a poetic tribute to the celebrated African American writer and thinker, exploring Baldwin’s life, identity, and activism through archival footage and his own words. The British debut underscored Baldwin’s global impact, particularly in Europe where he had lived for decades. The documentary highlighted how Baldwin’s analysis of race, sexuality, and power resonated internationally, offering a cross-continental reflection on Black liberation. The film’s release in London affirmed the transatlantic legacy of Baldwin’s work in global Black consciousness.

On June 11, 1964, Malawi’s path to independence was formalized with the swearing-in of its first African prime minister, Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Though formal independence day is July 6, this date marked a crucial transfer of power. Banda had been a prominent Pan-Africanist and led Malawi’s transition from the British-controlled Nyasaland protectorate. His leadership was pivotal in shaping a new African identity post-colonialism. Malawi’s journey reflected the broader wave of decolonization sweeping the continent in the 1960s, as nations asserted sovereignty and sought to rebuild their societies after centuries of exploitation.

On June 11, 1971, Guyanese scholar and revolutionary Walter Rodney was denied entry into Jamaica by the government, sparking student protests across the island. Rodney, who had previously taught at the University of the West Indies, was known for his influential work How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. His ban was seen as politically motivated, as his Pan-Africanist views and critiques of capitalism threatened the Jamaican establishment. The backlash underscored Rodney’s influence on Caribbean radical thought and the rising tensions between state institutions and Black intellectual movements advocating for economic and racial justice across the region.

On June 11, 1948, Senegalese poet, philosopher, and politician Léopold Sédar Senghor was elected to the French National Assembly. A leading figure in the Négritude movement, Senghor used his political platform to advocate for African identity, cultural pride, and autonomy. His election reflected a unique moment in French colonial history when African intellectuals gained political influence within the colonial system. Senghor would later become Senegal’s first president, promoting a vision of African socialism and cultural renaissance. His early legislative work laid the foundation for decolonization and cultural liberation throughout Francophone Africa.

On June 11, 1981, a massive tribute concert for Bob Marley was held in Kingston, Jamaica, just one month after his death. The event, attended by thousands, celebrated Marley’s life, music, and legacy as a global voice for Black liberation, Rastafarianism, and anti-colonial resistance. Performances by Jamaican and international artists honored his contribution to reggae as a vehicle for political consciousness and cultural pride. The concert emphasized Marley’s lasting influence not just as a musician, but as a revolutionary figure whose messages of unity and resistance resonated across the African diaspora.

On June 11, 2002, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan launched the “Global Compact Africa Dialogues” in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This initiative aimed to strengthen African businesses’ commitment to sustainable development, human rights, labor standards, and anti-corruption principles. Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat and the first Black African to lead the UN, emphasized the need for ethical globalization. The dialogues encouraged African enterprises to adopt responsible business practices while fostering inclusive economic growth. This event marked a turning point in aligning global corporate responsibility efforts with Africa’s development priorities, led by one of the continent’s most respected global figures.

On June 11, 1994, two months after its first democratic elections, South Africa formally rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations under President Nelson Mandela. The country had withdrawn in 1961 due to its apartheid policies. Re-entry signaled its reacceptance into the international community and commitment to democracy, human rights, and multilateral cooperation. Mandela’s leadership in bringing South Africa back into global institutions marked a major step in the nation’s reintegration and reconciliation process. It also illustrated the symbolic end of its international pariah status and the beginning of a new era of global partnership.

On June 11, 1990, William Thaddeus Coleman Jr. was named chairman of the board of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF). A former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and distinguished attorney, Coleman had a long history of civil rights advocacy, having co-authored briefs in Brown v. Board of Education. His leadership at LDF signified a renewed focus on high-impact litigation to protect Black rights in education, employment, and voting. Coleman’s legal brilliance and public service experience made him an ideal figure to steer the organization during an era of shifting political and judicial landscapes. His appointment continued the tradition of Black legal excellence shaping the civil rights struggle through the courtroom.

On June 11, 1993, the U.S. Postal Service released a new stamp in honor of Harriet Tubman as part of the Black Heritage Series. This marked the second time Tubman was honored with a postage stamp, the first being in 1978. The new stamp featured a portrait by artist Jerry Pinkney and was part of a broader effort to recognize Black contributions to American history. Tubman, famed conductor of the Underground Railroad, is revered for her bravery in rescuing enslaved people and her service as a Union spy during the Civil War. The release of this stamp symbolized continued national acknowledgment of her role in the fight for freedom and justice. It was widely celebrated by schools, civic organizations, and historians across the country.

On June 11, 2002, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan was awarded the Liberty Medal in Philadelphia for his work promoting global peace, human rights, and development. Annan, a native of Ghana and the first Black African to lead the UN, shared the honor with the United Nations itself. The Liberty Medal, established to commemorate the U.S. Constitution’s bicentennial, recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership in securing liberty worldwide. Annan’s leadership during international crises, commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness, and advocacy for the Millennium Development Goals were cited as reasons for his selection. His award symbolized the growing global influence of African leadership and the potential for diplomacy to advance justice. Annan would later receive the Nobel Peace Prize, further solidifying his place in world history.

On June 11, 1982, the acclaimed television miniseries Roots: The Next Generations received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Drama Series. A sequel to the groundbreaking original Roots, the series aired in 1979 and chronicled the lives of Kunta Kinte’s descendants through the 20th century, including events like World War I and the civil rights movement. Featuring a diverse cast and powerful storytelling, the series continued the legacy of highlighting African American history and resilience. The NAACP Image Awards honored the series for its cultural impact, educational value, and representation of Black identity. Roots: The Next Generations not only built on the monumental success of its predecessor but also helped cement Alex Haley’s legacy as a transformative storyteller. It reinforced the role of television in shaping national conversations about race and history.

On June 11, 1981, Sandra Glover became the first African American woman to clerk for a United States Supreme Court Justice. Assigned to Justice Thurgood Marshall, Glover broke racial and gender barriers in one of the most prestigious positions in American law. Supreme Court clerkships are highly competitive and often reserved for elite law school graduates, making her appointment a historic milestone. Her role placed her at the center of critical legal deliberations and contributed to the legacy of diversity within the U.S. judiciary. Glover\’s appointment inspired a generation of Black women pursuing legal careers and marked a significant step toward inclusion at the highest levels of the legal system. Her success underscored the ongoing efforts to expand access to legal institutions historically closed to people of color.

On June 11, 1934, Charles R. Drew graduated from Amherst College, setting him on a path to become one of the most influential medical innovators of the 20th century. While Drew is best known for revolutionizing blood storage and developing large-scale blood banks during World War II, few know that his journey began with academic distinction at Amherst, where he excelled in both science and athletics. Despite racial barriers, Drew went on to earn a medical degree from McGill University and a doctorate from Columbia—becoming the first African American to do so. His early education laid the foundation for breakthroughs that saved countless lives. He later protested the segregation of blood by race, resigning from the Red Cross over the policy. June 11 marks not just a graduation, but the emergence of a pioneer who transformed medicine and stood firmly against racial injustice in science and humanitarian aid.