The NAACP annual report said the unemployment of “urban blacks in 1971 was worse than at anytime since the great depression of the thirties.” The report also said that more school desegregation occurred in 1971 in any other year since the 1954 school decision.

Louisiana legislature met in New Orleans.  The temporary chairman of the house was  African American Representative, R. H. Isabelle.  Oscar J. Dunn presided over the senate.  Seven of the 36 senators were African American.  Thirty-five of the 101 representatives were African American.

On June 29, 1947, President Harry S. Truman became the first sitting U.S. president to address the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In his speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial, Truman called for the end of segregation and the protection of voting rights for African Americans. This marked a significant moment in the federal government\’s acknowledgment of civil rights issues. Truman Library Institute

The Harlem Cultural Festival commenced on June 29, 1969, in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park), Harlem, New York. Often dubbed the \”Black Woodstock,\” the festival celebrated African American music and culture, featuring performances by legends like Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone. The event attracted over 300,000 attendees and highlighted the vibrancy of Black artistic expression during a pivotal era. Wikipedia

Eva Narcissus Boyd, known professionally as Little Eva, was born on June 29, 1943, in Belhaven, North Carolina. She gained fame with her 1962 hit song \”The Loco-Motion,\” which became a defining track of the early 1960s pop scene. Her success story is notable for her transition from a babysitter for songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin to a chart-topping artist. BET

James Van Der Zee, a prominent African American photographer, was born on June 29, 1886. He is best known for his portraits of Black New Yorkers during the Harlem Renaissance, capturing the essence of the era\’s cultural and social life. His work remains a vital historical record of early 20th-century African American society. theblackmarket.com

On June 29, 1970, the Black Panther Party announced plans for the Revolutionary People\’s Constitutional Convention. This initiative aimed to draft a new constitution that would address the needs and rights of marginalized communities in the United States. The convention represented a significant effort to envision a more equitable society through grassroots activism. Wikipedia

On June 29, 1956, the NAACP secured a victory in the U.S. Supreme Court, compelling the University of Alabama to admit Autherine Lucy, making her the first African American student at the institution. This landmark decision was a pivotal moment in the fight against educational segregation in the American South. Wikipedia

Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, was bombed on June 29, 1958, by white supremacists opposing the civil rights movement. The church, led by Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, was a central hub for civil rights activism. The bombing underscored the violent resistance faced by those advocating for racial equality. Wikipedia

On June 29, 1913, production began on \”Lime Kiln Field Day,\” one of the earliest films to feature an all-Black cast. Starring Bert Williams, the film was groundbreaking in its portrayal of African American life and is considered a significant milestone in Black cinema history.

On June 29, 1945, the U.S. Navy released \”The Negro Sailor,\” a documentary highlighting the contributions of African American sailors during World War II. The film served both as a morale booster and a counter-narrative to prevailing racial prejudices, showcasing the patriotism and service of Black Americans. Wikipedia

On June 29, 2018, Melody Barnes was appointed as the first African American chair of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which oversees Monticello. Her leadership signified a commitment to inclusivity and a more comprehensive telling of history, including the lives of enslaved individuals at Jefferson\’s estate. Glamour