Marcus Garvey sentenced to five years in prison after his conviction on charges of using the mail to defraud.

On June 21, 2001, legendary blues musician John Lee Hooker passed away at the age of 83. Hooker was one of the most influential blues artists of all time, known for his deep, hypnotic voice, raw guitar playing, and signature boogie style. His career spanned over five decades, producing classics like “Boom Boom,” “Boogie Chillen’,” and “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.”

His influence extended far beyond the blues, inspiring rock and roll artists like The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and ZZ Top. Even late in his career, Hooker enjoyed commercial success with albums like The Healer (1989), which featured collaborations with artists like Carlos Santana and Bonnie Raitt.

His passing marked the loss of one of the last great Delta bluesmen, but his music continues to shape and inspire musicians worldwide.

On June 21, 1832, Joseph Hayne Rainey was born in Georgetown, South Carolina. Born into slavery, Rainey purchased his freedom and became a successful businessman. In 1870, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first African American to serve in Congress. Rainey served five terms, advocating for civil rights and education for freedmen during Reconstruction. His legacy paved the way for future generations of Black politicians. Word In Black

Henry Ossawa Tanner was born on June 21, 1859, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He became the first African American painter to gain international acclaim. Tanner studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and later moved to Paris to escape racial discrimination. His works, such as \”The Banjo Lesson,\” depicted African American life with dignity and realism. Tanner\’s success challenged racial barriers in the art world.  Pittsburgh Courier

On June 21, 1919, Jim McMillan, an African American man, was lynched by a mob in Mississippi. This brutal act was part of the \”Red Summer,\” a period marked by numerous racial violence incidents across the United States. The lynching highlighted the pervasive racial hatred and the urgent need for civil rights reforms. Wikipedia

The Detroit Race Riot, one of the most violent racial confrontations of the 20th century, escalated on June 21, 1943. Tensions between Black and white residents over housing and employment erupted into widespread violence. Over three days, 34 people were killed, and hundreds were injured. The riot underscored the deep racial divisions in American society and the need for systemic change. Wikipedia

On June 21, 1964, civil rights activists James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were murdered by the Ku Klux Klan near Philadelphia, Mississippi. The trio was working to register Black voters during the Freedom Summer campaign. Their deaths shocked the nation and galvanized support for the civil rights movement, leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. BET

Exactly 41 years after the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, Edgar Ray Killen, a former Ku Klux Klan leader, was convicted on June 21, 2005, for orchestrating the killings. The conviction was a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for civil rights-era crimes and demonstrated the enduring impact of the movement. AFRO American Newspapers

On June 21, 2023, a ceremony was held in Connecticut to honor Stephen Newton, an African American Civil War veteran. Historian John Mills and the Alex Breanne Corporation restored Newton\’s gravestone and added the site to the Connecticut Freedom Trail. The event recognized the contributions of Black soldiers and aimed to preserve their legacy. CT Insider

On June 21, 1959, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was promoted to brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force, becoming the first African American to achieve this rank. A Tuskegee Airman and son of the first Black U.S. Army general, Davis Jr.\’s promotion was a milestone in military integration and leadership. New Pittsburgh Courier

June 21, 1964, marked a pivotal day in the Freedom Summer campaign, aimed at increasing Black voter registration in Mississippi. The disappearance and subsequent murder of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner highlighted the dangers faced by activists and intensified national attention on civil rights issues. The campaign\’s efforts contributed to the eventual passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Blackfacts.com