On June 26, 1959, officials in Prince Edward County, Virginia, decided to close all public schools rather than comply with court-ordered desegregation, making it the only county in the United States to take such action. The schools remained closed for five years, denying education to Black students and drawing national condemnation.

James Weldon Johnson  dies of injuries received in an automobile accident near his summer home in Wiscosset, Maine.

W. E. B. DuBois resigns from his position at the NAACP in a disagreement over policy and racial strategy.

On June 26, 1966, the March Against Fear concluded in Jackson, Mississippi, with approximately 15,000 participants—the largest civil rights demonstration in the state\’s history. Initiated by James Meredith to encourage African American voter registration, the march gained national attention after Meredith was shot and wounded on June 6. Civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Stokely Carmichael, continued the march, which became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the emergence of the \”Black Power\” slogan. Wikipedia

On June 26, 1844, the legislative committee of the Oregon Territory passed its first Black exclusion law, prohibiting free African Americans from residing in the territory. Violators faced punishment by whipping or forced labor. This law was part of a series of exclusionary statutes aimed at preventing Black settlement in the region. EJI Calendar

Clifford Brown, a highly influential jazz trumpeter, died in a car accident on June 26, 1956, at the age of 25. Despite his short career, Brown\’s virtuosic playing and compositions left a lasting impact on the jazz world, influencing generations of musicians. Black History Daily

Born on June 26, 1956, Bernard A. Harris Jr. became the first African American to perform a spacewalk during NASA\’s STS-63 mission in 1995. His achievements have been instrumental in promoting diversity in the fields of science and space exploration. Blackfacts.com

On June 26, 1934, W.E.B. Du Bois resigned from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) due to ideological differences regarding the organization\’s approach to combating racial discrimination. Du Bois advocated for a more direct and assertive strategy, leading to his departure. Black History Daily

Derek Jeter, born on June 26, 1974, is a former professional baseball player of African American and Irish descent. As the longtime shortstop and captain of the New York Yankees, Jeter became one of the most respected figures in Major League Baseball, known for his leadership and clutch performances. Blackfacts.com

On June 26, 1975, Samuel Blanton Rosser was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea, making him the first African American to serve as an ambassador to a European country. His appointment marked a significant milestone in the diversification of U.S. diplomatic representation. The Black Market

During a speech on June 26, 1966, at the conclusion of the March Against Fear in Jackson, Mississippi, civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael (later known as Kwame Ture) popularized the slogan \”Black Power.\” The phrase became a rallying cry for a more militant and self-reliant approach to civil rights activism. Wikipedia

Born on June 26, 1956, Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr. became the first African American to walk in space during NASA\’s STS-63 mission in 1995. His accomplishments have inspired countless individuals in the fields of medicine and aerospace. Black History Daily