Led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., thousands of civil rights activists began a 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to demand equal voting rights for African Americans. The march followed the violent events of “Bloody Sunday” and symbolized the determination of the Civil Rights Movement. The campaign helped spur the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

On March 21, 1990, Namibia officially gained independence from South African rule after decades of colonialism and occupation. The historic event marked the birth of Africa’s youngest nation at the time, bringing peace, stability, and the promise of progress. Known as the “Smile of Africa” for its warm hospitality and geographical beauty, Namibia has since emerged as a stable democracy with a population of over 1.7 million at the time of independence.

Walter White, former executive secretary of the NAACP, passed away at age 61 in New York City. A key figure in the civil rights movement, White led the NAACP from 1931 to 1955, investigating lynchings, advocating for anti-discrimination laws, and shaping national civil rights strategies. His leadership paved the way for future activism. On April 11, 1970, Roy Wilkins officially succeeded him as NAACP executive.

On this day, San Antonio, Texas became the first major Southern city to voluntarily integrate its lunch counters. The peaceful agreement between local Black leaders and white business owners marked a significant victory for the civil rights movement and set an early example of nonviolent progress in the South—months before similar actions gained national attention through sit-ins in other cities.

In Sharpeville, South Africa, during a peaceful protest against apartheid pass laws, white South African police opened fire on unarmed Black demonstrators. Sixty-seven people were killed and 186 wounded. The Sharpeville Massacre shocked the world, intensified resistance to apartheid, and marked a turning point in South Africa’s liberation struggle. The tragedy is now commemorated annually as Human Rights Day in South Africa.

James Baskett became the second African American to receive an Academy Award when he was honored with a Special Oscar for his performance as Uncle Remus in Disney’s Song of the South. He was also the first African American actor hired by Disney. Despite the recognition, Baskett faced harsh racial discrimination—he was barred from attending the film’s premiere in Atlanta due to segregation laws. His award was a milestone in Hollywood history, though the film itself remains highly controversial for its portrayal of race.