On May 2, 1920, the first official game of the Negro National League (NNL) was played, marking a historic moment in African American sports history. The game took place in Indianapolis between the Indianapolis ABCs and the Chicago American Giants. Founded earlier that year by baseball legend Rube Foster, the NNL became the first successful, organized Black baseball league in the United States, providing a professional platform for African American players who were barred from Major League Baseball due to segregation.

On May 2, 2002, during a televised panel and later documented in academic publications, historians emphasized a striking truth: the American Revolution was partially financed through profits from slavery. While white Americans fought for liberty from British rule, many were simultaneously benefiting from the labor of enslaved Africans. Cotton, tobacco, sugar, and indigo — products grown by enslaved people — were traded for weapons, supplies, and funding, especially with France during the War of Independence. One historian notably remarked, “Americans purchased their freedom with products grown by slaves.”

This interpretation sparked debate but highlights a sobering reality: the quest for liberty in the U.S. was deeply entangled with the economic foundation of slavery — a paradox at the heart of the nation’s founding.

On May 2, 1992, the city of Los Angeles began the massive cleanup and rebuilding process following five days of unrest sparked by the acquittal of four LAPD officers in the brutal beating of Rodney King. The uprising, often mislabeled as “riots,” reflected decades of racial injustice, police brutality, and economic inequality. The unrest resulted in 58 deaths, over 2,300 injuries, 600 reported fires, and more than $1 billion in property damage. In the aftermath, community leaders, residents, and city officials mobilized to repair not only buildings, but also the social fabric of neighborhoods like South Central L.A. The event marked a national reckoning with systemic racism and would later inspire reforms and dialogue around policing and equity in America.

On May 2, 1968, Reverend Ralph Abernathy officially launched the Poor People’s Campaign with a march on Washington, D.C., just one month after the assassination of his close friend and fellow civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The campaign was King’s final vision—a multiracial movement aimed at fighting poverty through economic justice and policy change. Abernathy, now leading the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), brought thousands of marchers to the nation’s capital to demand jobs, housing, and a guaranteed income. The campaign would culminate in Resurrection City, a tent encampment on the National Mall, symbolizing the plight of America’s poor.

On May 2, 1963, more than 2,500 African American children, teenagers, and a few white allies were arrested in Birmingham, Alabama, during a mass protest against racial segregation. Known as the start of the Children’s Crusade, this pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement saw young people leave school to march peacefully for justice. Despite their nonviolent stance, many were met with fire hoses, police dogs, and mass incarceration under the orders of Public Safety Commissioner Bull Connor. The shocking images of children being brutalized gained national attention and pressured federal authorities to take action, ultimately helping to pave the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

On May 2, 1870, William J. Seymour was born in Centerville, Louisiana. The son of formerly enslaved parents, Seymour would rise to become one of the most influential religious leaders in American history. As the central figure of the 1906 Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, Seymour is widely credited as the driving force behind the rise of Pentecostalism in the United States—a movement characterized by expressive worship, speaking in tongues, and a strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit.

What made Seymour’s leadership revolutionary was not just his theology, but his commitment to racial unity in worship. At a time when Jim Crow laws enforced segregation, the Azusa Street Revival welcomed people of all races to worship together, breaking social norms and igniting a global spiritual movement. Today, Pentecostalism has over 500 million adherents worldwide, with Seymour’s influence still at its core.

On May 2, 1845, Macon Bolling Allen became the first African American licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. A year earlier, in 1844, Allen had already made history by becoming the first Black person admitted to the bar in the United States, in the state of Maine. Overcoming deep racial prejudice and limited access to formal legal education, Allen taught himself law and passed rigorous examinations in both states. He would later go on to become one of the first Black judges in the U.S. as well. His achievements laid the groundwork for future generations of African American legal professionals.

On May 2, 1844, Elijah McCoy was born in Colchester, Ontario, to formerly enslaved parents who escaped through the Underground Railroad. A brilliant mechanical engineer and inventor, McCoy would go on to secure over 50 patents, most notably for an automatic lubricating cup that revolutionized steam engine maintenance in trains and factory machines. His inventions were so effective and trusted that clients would insist on getting “the real McCoy,” a phrase that became synonymous with authenticity and quality. McCoy’s legacy as a master Black inventor defied the racial barriers of his time and left a lasting impact on industrial innovation worldwide.

On May 2, 1803, Denmark Vesey, a formerly enslaved man, purchased his freedom with $600 he had won through a local lottery. While this event occurred in the U.S., its significance extends across the African diaspora due to Vesey’s later role in organizing one of the most ambitious planned slave revolts in the Atlantic world. Drawing inspiration from the Haitian Revolution, Vesey sought to unite thousands of enslaved and free Black people in Charleston to rise up and escape to Haiti—a Black republic that symbolized liberation for the African diaspora. Though the revolt was ultimately suppressed in 1822, Vesey’s vision embodied transnational Black resistance and Pan-African unity. His actions inspired abolitionists, revolutionaries, and writers across the Americas and Caribbean. May 2 marks not only his personal emancipation, but the beginning of a legacy that challenged white supremacy across borders and centuries.

On May 2, 1803, Toussaint Louverture, the brilliant leader of the Haitian Revolution, died in a French prison in Fort-de-Joux. Louverture had been betrayed by Napoleon’s forces after being lured into negotiations and deported to France. As the architect of the Haitian independence movement, Louverture transformed a slave uprising into the first successful revolution led by formerly enslaved people, paving the way for Haiti to become the first Black republic in 1804. Though he died before the final victory, his vision and strategy laid the foundation for independence. His death marked a turning point in colonial resistance movements and remains a symbol of liberation and betrayal. Toussaint’s legacy endures across the African diaspora as a representation of resilience, intellect, and uncompromising resistance to slavery.

On May 2, 1994, just days before officially becoming South Africa’s first Black president, Nelson Mandela cast his ballot in the country’s first multiracial democratic elections. For a man who had spent 27 years in prison fighting apartheid, this act held profound symbolic power. Mandela’s vote represented the dismantling of a century of white minority rule and the birth of a new democratic era in South Africa. The election, which began on April 27 and concluded in early May, was marked by unprecedented national unity and optimism. Mandela’s action was celebrated globally as a triumph of perseverance, reconciliation, and peaceful transition. It resonated across post-colonial nations and civil rights movements worldwide, serving as an inspiration for democratic governance and racial justice.

On May 2, 1984, Michael Jackson embarked on a major tour in Japan, marking one of the earliest large-scale performances by a Black American entertainer in Asia. Jackson’s influence had already begun reshaping global pop culture, and his appearance captivated Japanese audiences and media. He broke through racial and cultural boundaries, opening doors for other Black artists in regions previously dominated by Western or local performers. Jackson’s visit was not just about music—it was about cultural diplomacy. He became a symbol of unity, bringing together diverse audiences and introducing them to Black American art, style, and humanitarianism. His tour would later inspire similar visits by global Black icons, contributing to the internationalization of hip hop, R&B, and Black cultural expression.

On May 2, 1863, Black Union soldiers fighting under General David Hunter faced deadly resistance in the South during early Civil War skirmishes. Hunter was one of the first Union generals to arm formerly enslaved men, defying orders and precedent. Though these early actions were met with controversy and the threat of Confederate reprisals, they marked a critical turning point in recognizing Black military service as legitimate and essential. The bravery shown by these early volunteers laid the groundwork for the eventual creation of the United States Colored Troops (USCT). Their sacrifice on this day was among the earliest in a broader campaign that saw nearly 200,000 Black soldiers fight for the Union. It also had global implications, showcasing the courage of Black men in battle and reinforcing abolitionist momentum worldwide.

On May 2, 1973, President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) formally advanced his policy of “Authenticité,” a program aimed at rejecting colonial culture and restoring African identity. The policy encouraged citizens to abandon European names, dress in traditional attire, and adopt indigenous languages and customs. While the intent was to foster pride and unity in postcolonial Zaire, it also reinforced Mobutu’s authoritarian regime. Internationally, “Authenticité” was a key example of how African nations grappled with postcolonial identity and sovereignty. Although controversial, the movement inspired other African leaders to explore cultural revitalization as a form of resistance to neocolonial influence and to assert a distinctly African modernity.

On May 2, 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf officially launched her campaign for the presidency of Liberia. A Harvard-educated economist and long-time advocate for development and women’s rights, Sirleaf’s candidacy was a groundbreaking moment in African politics. At a time when Liberia was still recovering from civil war, her campaign brought hope, stability, and international respect. She won the election later that year, becoming the first elected female head of state in Africa. Her leadership ushered in an era of reconstruction and reform, and she became a symbol of female empowerment across the continent. Her campaign’s launch marked a historic milestone, challenging gender norms and laying a path for future women leaders globally.

On May 2, 1969, civil rights activist James Forman interrupted a service at Riverside Church in Detroit to deliver the “Black Manifesto,” demanding $500 million in reparations from white churches and synagogues for their complicity in slavery and segregation. Forman, a former leader in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), framed the demand as a moral obligation rooted in historical justice. The manifesto sparked national debate and led to the formation of reparations task forces across the U.S. and abroad. Though controversial, the action brought renewed global attention to the issue of reparations, influencing policy discussions in Caribbean nations and later efforts by African Union member states. May 2 became a critical day in the history of economic justice advocacy for the African diaspora.

On May 2, 2000, the BBC launched “Black Britain,” a landmark program focused on the lives, struggles, and triumphs of Black communities in the UK. The show was part of a broader initiative to improve representation of ethnic minorities on British television. “Black Britain” tackled issues from policing to cultural celebration, giving a platform to stories often marginalized in mainstream media. The program played a key role in shaping the public discourse on race, identity, and inclusion in Britain. It also inspired similar media initiatives across Europe and former British colonies. Its debut marked an important moment in the cultural affirmation of Black British identity and media empowerment.

On May 2, 1948, future Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah launched the Accra Evening News, a revolutionary newspaper that became the mouthpiece of the independence movement in the Gold Coast. At a time when colonial media dominated the public narrative, Nkrumah’s paper gave voice to nationalist sentiment, exposed British injustices, and organized resistance. It was bold, defiant, and widely read among young activists. The Accra Evening News would become a cornerstone of political education and grassroots mobilization, influencing anti-colonial movements across Africa. Its founding on this day signaled a new era in African journalism—one that sought not just to report facts but to liberate minds.

On May 2, 1872, the Freedmen’s Bureau oversaw the completion of a school for African Americans in Galveston, Texas, furthering its mission to support newly freed Black citizens after the Civil War. Though short-lived, the Bureau played a critical role in building schools, hospitals, and housing for formerly enslaved people. The Galveston school provided formal education to children and adults who had previously been denied access to literacy. Teachers, often from the North, risked violence from hostile locals, yet persisted in their mission. This school became a symbol of Reconstruction-era hope and the broader Black commitment to education as a pathway to freedom and citizenship. The legacy of these schools lives on through the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that emerged during this period.

On May 2, 1983, Alice Walker was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel The Color Purple, making her the first African American woman to receive the honor. Her groundbreaking work, published in 1982, tells the story of Celie, a Black Southern woman who endures abuse and hardship but ultimately finds self-empowerment and spiritual liberation. Walker’s prose vividly captures the intersectionality of race, gender, and class in early 20th-century America. The novel was praised for its emotional depth and cultural authenticity, though it also faced criticism for its depiction of Black male characters. The Color Purple has since become a cultural cornerstone, adapted into a critically acclaimed film and Broadway musical. Walker’s Pulitzer win marked a watershed moment for Black women writers and opened doors for a new generation of voices in literature.

On May 2, 1943, the Tuskegee Airmen—America’s first Black military aviators—began deploying for overseas combat operations during World War II. Trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama under the Army Air Corps, these men faced racial discrimination both in the military and in society. Despite doubts about their capabilities, they proved to be some of the most skilled and disciplined pilots of the war. Flying primarily in Europe, they escorted bombers and achieved one of the lowest loss records in the war. Their performance helped challenge prevailing racist assumptions and laid the groundwork for President Truman’s 1948 executive order to desegregate the armed forces. The deployment on May 2 marked a turning point in U.S. military history and stands as a symbol of perseverance and patriotism.

On May 2, 1974, after a high-profile trial, Black activist and scholar Angela Davis was acquitted of all charges related to a 1970 courtroom kidnapping and murder. Davis, a prominent figure in the Black Power and Communist movements, had been accused of supplying weapons used in the incident. Her arrest and trial sparked global protests and brought attention to racial bias in the U.S. legal system. Her defense highlighted systemic injustice, and the jury ultimately found insufficient evidence to convict her. Davis’s acquittal was seen as a major victory for civil liberties and political activism. She went on to become a renowned educator and author, continuing her advocacy for prison abolition and racial justice.

On May 2, 1865, just weeks after the Civil War ended, Congressman Thaddeus Stevens delivered a fiery speech demanding full citizenship and suffrage for freed African Americans. As a leader of the Radical Republicans, Stevens pushed for Reconstruction policies that would dismantle the remnants of slavery and ensure civil rights. His speech laid the groundwork for future amendments—the 14th and 15th—that would enshrine Black citizenship and voting rights into the Constitution. Although fiercely opposed by Southern lawmakers, Stevens’ advocacy helped shift the national conversation toward racial equality, even as his vision was only partially realized during his lifetime. His call on May 2 helped ignite the legal and political battles that would define Reconstruction and beyond.

On May 2, 1930, theologian and mystic Howard Thurman was appointed Dean of Rankin Chapel at Howard University. As one of the most influential Black religious thinkers of the 20th century, Thurman bridged the worlds of theology, mysticism, and social justice. He mentored future leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and emphasized the power of nonviolence, inner strength, and spiritual liberation. His tenure at Howard expanded the university’s religious life and gave students a model of ethical leadership rooted in the Black prophetic tradition. Thurman’s interfaith and intercultural work would later inspire global movements for peace and reconciliation.

On May 2, 1895, Booker T. Washington hosted a major conference at Tuskegee Institute, bringing together Black educators, farmers, and business leaders to promote industrial and vocational training. The Tuskegee Negro Conference, as it was called, sought to provide practical strategies for economic advancement in the face of Jim Crow laws and disenfranchisement. Washington emphasized self-help, land ownership, and trades as tools for racial uplift. Although his philosophy of accommodationism was later challenged by W.E.B. Du Bois and others, Washington’s work laid an essential foundation for Black educational infrastructure in the South. The annual conference became a key forum for community coordination and strategic planning.