On May 4, 1897, inventor J.H. Smith, an African American innovator, was awarded U.S. Patent No. 581,785 for a rotary lawn sprinkler. Smith’s invention improved the even distribution of water across lawns and gardens, using a rotating nozzle to deliver consistent pressure. His design helped shape the modern irrigation systems used in residential and agricultural landscaping today. Smith’s achievement reflects the often-overlooked contributions of Black inventors to everyday conveniences and technological advancement during the late 19th century.

On May 3, 1896, African American cowboy Bill Pickett became widely recognized as the inventor of bulldogging—a daring rodeo technique where a rider leaps from a horse to wrestle a steer to the ground. Inspired by how trained bulldogs helped catch stray cattle, Pickett adapted the method using his own skill and grit. His version included a now-retired tactic of biting the steer’s upper lip while pulling it off balance—a dramatic move that amazed crowds across the Wild West and helped shape modern steer wrestling in rodeos. Pickett toured with the Miller Brothers’ 101 Ranch Wild West Show and became one of the first Black cowboys to gain national fame. His legacy lives on as a trailblazer in both rodeo sports and African American frontier history.

On May 4, 1961, thirteen courageous civil rights activists—seven Black and six white—departed Washington, D.C., on Greyhound and Trailways buses to challenge segregated bus terminals across the American South. Known as the Freedom Riders, they tested the Supreme Court’s decision in Boynton v. Virginia (1960), which outlawed segregation in interstate bus and rail travel.

Organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the riders faced threats, mob violence, and arrests as they journeyed through Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Their bravery sparked a national movement and drew international attention to the injustices of Jim Crow segregation, ultimately pressuring the federal government to enforce desegregation laws more strictly.

On May 4, 1891, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams founded Provident Hospital and Training School in Chicago, Illinois—the first interracial hospital in the United States. At a time when African Americans were often denied treatment at white hospitals, Dr. Williams created a facility where Black patients could receive quality care and where Black medical professionals could train and work. Provident not only offered lifesaving services, but it also became a pioneering institution for nursing and surgical education. Just two years later, Dr. Williams would perform one of the first successful open-heart surgeries at this very hospital, cementing both his and the institution’s place in medical history.

On May 4, 1864, General Ulysses S. Grant launched the Overland Campaign by crossing the Rapidan River, initiating a fierce and prolonged duel with Confederate General Robert E. Lee. While Grant’s main forces engaged Lee in the bloody Wilderness battles, a lesser-known but critical front was unfolding under Major General Benjamin Butler. Commanding the Army of the James, Butler included nearly 1,800 Black cavalrymen and multiple regiments of Black infantry. Though often sidelined in historical accounts, these soldiers—many formerly enslaved—played a pivotal role in seizing key Confederate positions and disrupting supply lines. Butler, a vocal advocate for Black troops, gave them front-line responsibilities and publicly praised their valor, further validating their place in the Union war effort.

Frederick Douglass, renowned abolitionist and statesman, delivered a powerful address during national labor rallies linked to the Haymarket Affair. Although primarily remembered for his anti-slavery work, Douglass championed workers’ rights late in life, recognizing that economic injustice and racial injustice were intertwined. His speech emphasized solidarity across racial and labor lines, urging Americans to honor the dignity of all laborers, black and white alike. Douglass’s commitment to both racial and economic equality demonstrated his broader vision for America — one that encompassed not only freedom from slavery but also freedom from economic oppression.

On May 4, 1910, Booker T. Washington officially launched National Negro Health Week. Alarmed by the devastating impact of preventable diseases within Black communities, Washington called for coordinated health campaigns focused on hygiene, sanitation, and medical access. The initiative empowered African Americans to take proactive steps toward improving community health. Supported by Black churches, schools, and the U.S. Public Health Service, the campaign eventually expanded into broader public health efforts that laid foundations for future health equity movements. Washington’s vision connected physical health with economic and social progress.

Born May 4, 1928, in Liberia, Hosanna Kabakoro later became a U.S.-based journalist who used her platform to advocate for African rights during the Civil Rights era. Kabakoro’s writing highlighted the interconnectedness of African independence movements and African American struggles for equality. Her work bridged diasporic conversations, encouraging solidarity and shared political strategies. Although less widely known today, Kabakoro’s contributions helped lay groundwork for Pan-African thought in American media.

The Free South Theatre was founded on May 4, 1946, in Atlanta, Georgia, as one of the first Black-owned and operated theater companies focused on telling authentic African American stories. At a time when mainstream American theaters largely excluded Black artists or presented stereotyped depictions, the Free South Theatre became a space for genuine artistic expression and political resistance. It paved the way for later groups like the Negro Ensemble Company, advancing Black narratives on stage and providing critical training grounds for young Black actors, writers, and directors.

On May 4, 1942, Doris “Dorie” Miller, an African American sailor, was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor. As a cook aboard the USS West Virginia, Miller manned anti-aircraft guns during the attack—despite having no formal training—and helped carry wounded sailors to safety. His bravery under fire challenged racial stereotypes within the military and symbolized Black Americans’ commitment to the defense of a country that often marginalized them. Miller’s recognition was a powerful, though rare, acknowledgment of African American valor in World War II.

On May 4, 1956, as the Montgomery Bus Boycott passed the five-month mark, national media coverage of the movement exploded. Photos and reports of African Americans walking miles to work or organizing carpools began appearing in newspapers across the country. The boycott, sparked by Rosa Parks’ arrest in December 1955, was a major early victory for the Civil Rights Movement. The persistence of Montgomery’s Black citizens showcased the power of economic activism and mass mobilization, helping catapult a young Martin Luther King Jr. into national prominence.

On May 4, 1969, tensions were high at historically Black Jackson State University in Mississippi, part of the nationwide wave of student activism against racism and the Vietnam War. Protests erupted following years of police brutality. State police opened fire into a women’s dormitory, killing two students and injuring several others. Although less widely remembered than the Kent State shootings days later, the Jackson State killings underscored how Black students faced deadly repression — often with little national outrage. It became a rallying cry for greater protection of Black civil rights.

On May 4, 1988, Bill and Camille Cosby announced a historic $20 million donation to Spelman College, the prestigious historically Black women’s college in Atlanta. At the time, it was the largest single donation ever made to a historically Black college or university (HBCU). The gift funded a major endowment, scholarships, and campus development projects, setting a new benchmark for philanthropic investment in Black higher education. While Cosby’s legacy has become controversial in later years, the donation played a key role in strengthening Spelman’s academic and financial standing.

On May 4, 1992, Carol Moseley Braun won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Illinois, putting her on the path to become the first African American woman elected to the Senate later that year. Her victory represented a major breakthrough in American politics, shattering racial and gender barriers in one of the nation’s most powerful institutions. Moseley Braun’s campaign emphasized civil rights, women’s rights, and a progressive economic agenda, resonating with diverse coalitions of voters eager for change in the aftermath of the Los Angeles riots.

On May 4, 1865, the 1st South Carolina Volunteers, one of the first official African American regiments in the Union Army, was honorably disbanded after the end of the U.S. Civil War. Composed largely of formerly enslaved men, the regiment proved African Americans could fight courageously and effectively. Their service challenged racist assumptions of the era and paved the way for broader Black participation in the U.S. military. Many veterans went on to advocate for Reconstruction-era reforms and civil rights, demonstrating that their fight for freedom extended far beyond the battlefield.

Hubert Harrison, born May 4, 1891, in St. Croix, became one of the most influential Black activists and thinkers in early 20th-century America. Often called “The Father of Harlem Radicalism,” Harrison was a brilliant orator, writer, and critic who inspired movements for racial equality, labor rights, and socialism. He founded the Liberty League and the Voice newspaper, promoting Black self-determination and political consciousness. His ideas helped set the stage for the Harlem Renaissance and the later civil rights movement. Harrison’s transnational Caribbean perspective also connected struggles for Black liberation across the globe.

Kwame Nkrumah, born May 4, 1904, in Nkroful, Gold Coast (now Ghana), became the first Prime Minister and President of independent Ghana. A visionary Pan-Africanist, Nkrumah led the Gold Coast’s struggle against British colonial rule, inspiring African liberation movements continent-wide. He emphasized education, industrialization, and unity among African nations. Though later overthrown, his leadership and ideas profoundly influenced the decolonization of Africa and the broader Black liberation struggle worldwide. Nkrumah’s life symbolizes the global reach of Black independence and self-governance movements in the 20th century.

On May 4, 1919, Marcus Garvey’s Negro World newspaper officially launched its expanded international operations. Published by the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), the paper circulated across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas, promoting Black pride, economic independence, and Pan-Africanism. Written in English, Spanish, and French, Negro World became a crucial vehicle for Garvey’s “Back to Africa” movement and a powerful counterforce against colonial narratives. Despite being banned in many colonies, it found secret readerships, fueling global Black solidarity and resistance against imperialism.

Born on May 4, 1948, in Monrovia, Liberia, George Weah rose from humble beginnings to become one of Africa’s greatest footballers and later the President of Liberia. Known for his dynamic playing style, Weah won FIFA’s World Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or, the first and only African to do so. After retiring from sports, he turned to politics, winning Liberia’s presidency in 2017. His life story exemplifies resilience, ambition, and service, inspiring millions across Africa and the Black diaspora to believe in transformational leadership through perseverance.

On May 4, 1956, while visiting the Gold Coast (soon-to-be Ghana), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a private speech to a group of Ghanaian parliamentarians about the global fight for freedom and justice. Dr. King’s visit symbolized the deep ties between the African American civil rights movement and African liberation struggles. He later described Ghana’s independence as a “new African dawn” and used the experience to inspire his later activism in the United States. This day highlighted the interconnectedness of freedom movements among people of African descent worldwide.

On May 4, 1969, Fred Hampton, charismatic leader of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, delivered a stirring speech at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle. He emphasized the need for multi-racial class solidarity, radical social programs, and revolutionary consciousness. Hampton’s organizing skill drew attention from both supporters and the FBI, leading to his assassination later that year. His speech exemplified the powerful role of young Black leaders in mobilizing resistance and inspired movements from the U.S. to Africa to rethink how liberation could be achieved.

On May 4, 1978, Senegalese scholar and activist Alioune Diop died. Diop founded Présence Africaine, a Paris-based journal and publishing house that became a cornerstone of Black intellectual and literary life in the 20th century. Through his work, Diop nurtured and connected African, Caribbean, and African American writers such as Aimé Césaire, Léopold Senghor, and Frantz Fanon. Présence Africaine helped catalyze Negritude, Pan-Africanism, and anti-colonial discourse, forging a literary and political bridge across the Black world. His contributions remain vital to global Black cultural history.

On May 4, 1994, after South Africa’s historic democratic elections, it was officially confirmed that Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) had won, setting the stage for Mandela’s inauguration as South Africa’s first Black president on May 10. This moment was the culmination of decades of struggle against apartheid and a beacon for global human rights. Mandela’s leadership in promoting reconciliation over revenge inspired movements for racial and social justice around the world. May 4 symbolized hope, renewal, and the possibility of peaceful transformation.

On May 4, 1839, Prince Alemayehu, the son of Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia, was born — a figure whose life became a poignant symbol of colonial disruption. Following the British invasion of Ethiopia and the Battle of Magdala in 1868, Emperor Tewodros II died by suicide rather than be captured. Alemayehu, just a boy, was taken by British forces and brought to England under the supposed protection of Queen Victoria. Despite royal patronage, Prince Alemayehu lived a lonely and alienated life, separated from his people and homeland. He died at just 18 years old and was buried at Windsor Castle. To this day, Ethiopia has petitioned for the repatriation of his remains, which remains denied. Alemayehu’s story, largely overshadowed by larger imperial narratives, reflects early acts of cultural loss, displacement, and the personal cost of imperial conquest on African royal families.