Mary Mcleod Bethune , founder-president of Bethune-Cookman College, named Director of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration.  Mary was the first African American women to receive a major appointment from the federal government.  Mary would hold the point until January 1, 1944.

John R. Lynch, former congressman from Mississippi, elected temporary chairmen of Republican convention and becomes the first African American to preside over deliberations of a national political party.

On June 24, 1854, Anthony Burns, an escaped enslaved man, was apprehended in Boston under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. His arrest ignited massive protests among abolitionists and citizens opposed to slavery. The federal government\’s enforcement of the act, including deploying troops to ensure Burns\’s return to Virginia, highlighted the nation\’s deep divisions over slavery. The incident galvanized anti-slavery sentiment in the North and underscored the moral and political tensions leading up to the Civil War. New Pittsburgh Courier

On June 24, 1844, African Americans in Boston convened the first of several meetings to protest the city\’s segregated school system. These gatherings marked a significant early effort by Black communities to challenge educational inequality and advocate for integrated schooling. The protests laid the groundwork for future legal challenges against segregation, contributing to the broader civil rights movement. The Eclectic Kitabu Project

On June 24, 1884, John R. Lynch became the first African American to preside over a major U.S. political party convention when he was elected temporary chairman of the Republican National Convention. Lynch\’s leadership role at the convention was a milestone in African American political participation during the Reconstruction era, reflecting the progress and challenges of Black political engagement in post-Civil War America. The Eclectic Kitabu Project

On June 24, 1964, Carl T. Rowan was appointed as the Director of the United States Information Agency, becoming one of the highest-ranking African Americans in the federal government at the time. Rowan\’s appointment was significant during the Civil Rights Movement, symbolizing progress in diversifying government leadership and influencing U.S. public diplomacy during a pivotal era. tbmv3.theblackmarket.com

On June 24, 1953, the Baton Rouge City Council passed Ordinance 251 in response to a bus boycott protesting segregated seating. The ordinance allowed Black riders to occupy seats on a first-come, first-served basis, except for the front two and rear seats reserved for white and Black passengers, respectively. While a compromise, this ordinance marked an early victory in the struggle against segregation and served as a model for subsequent boycotts, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Wikipedia

On June 24, 1968, police dismantled Resurrection City, a protest encampment on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., established by the Poor People\’s Campaign. The campaign, initiated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., aimed to address economic justice for impoverished Americans. The removal of the encampment highlighted the challenges faced by civil rights activists in sustaining momentum for economic reforms following Dr. King\’s assassination. BET

On June 24, 1957, African American protesters involved in the Royal Ice Cream sit-in in Durham, North Carolina, were fined for trespassing after challenging segregated seating at the establishment. The sit-in and subsequent legal battles were early acts of civil disobedience that inspired future nonviolent protests during the Civil Rights Movement, emphasizing the role of grassroots activism in challenging segregation. Wikipedia

On June 24, 1973, a fire at the UpStairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans, resulted in the deaths of 32 people, many of whom were African American. The tragedy, the deadliest attack on the LGBTQ+ community in U.S. history at the time, exposed the intersection of racial and sexual discrimination. The lack of adequate response and recognition from authorities and society highlighted systemic biases against marginalized communities. teenvogue.com

On June 24, 1995, South African President Nelson Mandela presented the Rugby World Cup trophy to the national team\’s captain, Francois Pienaar, after their victory. The event was a powerful symbol of reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa, as Mandela, wearing the team\’s jersey, united a racially divided nation through the shared celebration of sport. Wikipedia

June 24 marks the Day of the Caboclo in Brazil, a public holiday in the state of Amazonas celebrating the contributions of the Caboclo people—individuals of mixed Indigenous and African ancestry. The day acknowledges the cultural heritage and historical significance of Afro-Indigenous communities in Brazil, reflecting the nation\’s diverse racial and cultural landscape. Wikipedia