President Eisenhower signed Civil Rights Act of 1960. The Civil Rights Act of 1960 (Pub.L. 86–449, 74 Stat. 89, enacted May 6, 1960) was a United States federal law that established federal inspection of local voter registration polls and introduced penalties for anyone who obstructed someone’s attempt to register to vote or someone’s attempt to actually vote.

The Civil Rights Act of 1960 was the first civil rights bill to be approved by Congress since Reconstruction. Although Eisenhower was not routinely linked to the civil rights issue, his contribution, was important as it pushed the whole civil rights issue into the White House. At the time, politicians from the South were angry over what they saw as federal interference in state affairs. The bill became an act in 1960 as both parties were fighting for the “Black Vote.” The Eisenhower civil rights acts added only an extra 3% Black voters to the electoral roll for the 1960 election.

While the act barely touched on anything new and Eisenhower, at the end of his presidency, was accused of passing the thorny problem of voters’ constitutional rights over to his successor. Though the act did little to impress civil rights leaders, they realizedthat it was the federal government’s recognition that a constitutional problem existed.

On May 5, 1886, African American inventor M.A. Cherry was granted a U.S. patent for an improved design of the tricycle. His innovation featured a frame that was more stable and practical for transportation, especially suited to the needs of the time. While much of Cherry’s personal background remains obscure, his contribution reflects the often-overlooked role of Black inventors during the post-Reconstruction era—a time when innovation by African Americans was rarely recognized or widely celebrated. Cherry’s patent is part of the rich legacy of Black ingenuity that helped shape everyday life in America.

On May 5, 1985, Gladys Merritt Ross, an influential African American educator and co-founder of the Phi Delta Kappa sorority for Black women educators, passed away in Stockton, California. Founded in 1923, Phi Delta Kappa was established to support and uplift African American women in the teaching profession during a time when their presence in educational leadership was heavily marginalized. Ross dedicated her life to advancing excellence in education and community service, mentoring generations of Black educators and promoting academic achievement in underserved communities. Her legacy lives on in the continued mission of the sorority she helped build.

On May 6, 1931, baseball icon Willie Howard Mays Jr. was born in Westfield, Alabama. Widely regarded as one of the greatest all-around players in Major League Baseball history, Mays captivated fans with his powerful bat, blazing speed, and jaw-dropping defense. Nicknamed “The Say Hey Kid,” he played for both the New York and San Francisco Giants, amassing 660 career home runs. A two-time National League MVP and 24-time All-Star, Mays also won 12 Gold Glove Awards and was a four-time National League batting champion. His legacy transcends statistics — he remains a symbol of excellence, grace, and resilience in American sports.

On May 6, 1812, Martin Robison Delany was born free in Charles Town, Virginia (now West Virginia). A visionary intellectual, physician, and one of the first African Americans admitted to Harvard Medical School, Delany was a leading figure in the 19th-century Black nationalist movement. He advocated for African American pride, self-determination, and even African repatriation long before these ideas entered the mainstream. As co-editor of The North Star with Frederick Douglass and a Union Army officer during the Civil War, Delany embodied the fusion of scholarship, activism, and military service. His legacy laid critical groundwork for future Pan-Africanist and Black empowerment ideologies.

On May 6, 1787, African Lodge No. 459 was officially organized in Boston under the leadership of Prince Hall, a free Black man and prominent abolitionist. Hall had previously petitioned for a Masonic charter from the Grand Lodge of England after being denied membership by white American lodges. The approval made African Lodge No. 459 the first official Black Masonic lodge in the United States. Prince Hall’s leadership laid the foundation for Prince Hall Freemasonry, which would grow into a nationwide institution providing spiritual, political, and educational support for Black communities throughout U.S. history.

On May 6, 1872, Robert Smalls, a formerly enslaved African American who became a Civil War hero, was nominated for the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina. Smalls rose to fame for his daring commandeering of a Confederate ship, the CSS Planter, and delivering it to Union forces. His bravery became legendary, and after the war, he transitioned into politics during Reconstruction. Winning the nomination was historic — Smalls symbolized African American leadership in a newly restructured South. He would go on to serve multiple terms in Congress, fighting for civil rights, education, and protection for Black citizens. His nomination and later victories challenged assumptions about African Americans’ role in American political life and continue to inspire today.

On May 6, 1940, Willie Howard Mays Jr. was born in Westfield, Alabama. Mays would become one of the greatest baseball players in history, combining power, speed, defensive brilliance, and charisma. Nicknamed “The Say Hey Kid,” Mays played most famously for the New York and San Francisco Giants, dazzling fans with his batting and breathtaking outfield catches. Over a 22-season career, Mays amassed 660 home runs and won 12 Gold Glove Awards. Beyond statistics, he became an icon of excellence and resilience during a period when African American players were still battling racism and limited opportunities. Mays’ success opened doors for future generations and remains a testament to the power of talent and perseverance.

On May 6, 1954, British runner Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile barrier, an achievement that stunned the world. His feat rippled far beyond Britain, inspiring runners globally — including African Americans striving to prove themselves amid racial barriers. Track stars such as Mal Whitfield and later, Jim Ryun and John Carlos, viewed Bannister’s accomplishment as proof that physical and psychological limits could be shattered. Black athletes, often overlooked or marginalized in international competition, were energized to pursue Olympic dreams, despite persistent discrimination. Bannister’s record showed that excellence transcended racial lines and inspired a new wave of athletic activism.

On May 6, 1957, amidst heavy resistance, African American students known as the “Clinton 12” continued attending Clinton High School in Tennessee after being the first to desegregate a state-supported high school in the South. Despite facing daily threats, harassment, and even violent attacks, these courageous students remained steadfast. Their bravery highlighted the fierce opposition to integration and the resilience required for Black students to claim their rightful place in public education. Their experiences foreshadowed similar struggles faced by the Little Rock Nine later that year, showing how young African Americans were often on the frontlines of desegregation battles.

On May 6, 1984, Carl Lewis showcased his dominance at a U.S. track and field national championship, winning the 100-meter sprint. That year, Lewis was preparing for the Los Angeles Olympics, where he would famously win four gold medals — mirroring the achievements of Jesse Owens in 1936. Lewis’ victories symbolized Black athletic excellence on a global stage, breaking stereotypes about Black physicality and mental toughness. His success in multiple disciplines — sprints, long jump, relays — confirmed him as one of the greatest all-around athletes ever. His 1984 season was a moment of pride for African Americans and for the broader world of sports.

On May 6, 1877, federal troops were withdrawn from Louisiana, effectively marking the end of Reconstruction in the South. This event dealt a devastating blow to African Americans who had made political and social gains during Reconstruction. Without federal protection, Southern states quickly enacted Black Codes and Jim Crow laws to reassert white supremacy and strip away Black rights. The withdrawal underscored how fragile Black progress could be when political will waned. The long shadow of this betrayal would contribute to nearly a century of disenfranchisement, racial violence, and economic exploitation for African Americans across the South.

On May 6, 1963, as part of the Birmingham Campaign, thousands of young African American students continued marching for civil rights, confronting police brutality with courage. Images of children attacked with fire hoses and police dogs horrified the nation and galvanized public opinion in favor of desegregation. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference had strategically involved youth, recognizing the power of their innocent yet courageous presence. The events in Birmingham helped drive momentum for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, showing how African American resilience could move the conscience of a nation.

On May 6, 1989, Alton Byrd, one of the United Kingdom’s top basketball talents, signed with the Sacramento Kings, marking a rare British addition to the NBA. Although born in San Francisco, Byrd had made his name internationally, blending American athleticism with European flair. His journey highlighted the growing global reach of African American culture, especially through basketball. Byrd’s professional career opened the door for greater cross-Atlantic sports exchanges and anticipated the globalization of basketball that the NBA would fully embrace in the 1990s. His signing symbolized the blending of Black American excellence with a worldwide stage.

On May 6, 1875, Mississippi authorities intensified Black Codes to limit African American freedom, despite Reconstruction amendments guaranteeing citizenship and rights. These laws, aimed at controlling labor, movement, and voting, effectively re-enslaved many African Americans economically and socially. Restrictions included harsh vagrancy laws and apprenticeship systems that forced Black individuals into exploitative labor arrangements. While the federal government had nominal authority to intervene, political will was crumbling. Events like this underscored why a “Second Reconstruction” through the Civil Rights Movement would later be necessary. Mississippi’s actions were part of a broader Southern strategy to undo Black progress under the guise of “law and order.”

John Stewart Rock, one of the first African Americans to be admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court, died on May 6, 1872. Born free in New Jersey, Rock was a dentist, doctor, abolitionist, and lawyer. His career was a testament to Black excellence during an era of deep racial oppression. An advocate for full citizenship rights, Rock coined the phrase “Black is Beautiful” nearly a century before it became a cultural slogan. His admission to the Supreme Court bar during the Reconstruction era symbolized a significant breakthrough for African Americans in law and public life.

On May 6, 1963, The Fire Next Time was officially published in the United Kingdom. James Baldwin’s searing essays explored race relations in America with a power that resonated globally. In Britain and other parts of the world, Baldwin’s work opened up conversations about colonialism, civil rights, and identity. His fearless critique of systemic racism and prophetic warnings about America’s racial future inspired international Black liberation movements and brought wider attention to the interconnectedness of Black struggles worldwide.

On May 6, 1960, Nigeria conducted one of its last parliamentary elections under British colonial rule. These elections paved the way for the country’s independence later that year on October 1. Figures like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo were instrumental in rallying for self-rule. The event was a milestone not just for Nigeria, but for the broader decolonization movement sweeping Africa, symbolizing hope and the desire for political and economic autonomy across the continent.

On May 6, 1984, South African anti-apartheid leader Mamphela Ramphele was officially banned and confined to the town of Tzaneen. A medical doctor and activist, Ramphele co-founded the Black Consciousness Movement alongside Steve Biko. The apartheid government’s banning orders were attempts to silence voices pushing for racial equality and democracy. Despite these restrictions, Ramphele continued her activism, becoming an international symbol of resilience and eventually a leader in post-apartheid South Africa.

On May 6, 1954, women in the Gold Coast (modern Ghana) organized a massive demonstration against colonial injustices. Inspired by the growing momentum for independence, women’s groups played a critical role in mobilizing grassroots resistance. These women protested economic hardships and political disenfranchisement under British rule. Their activism helped set the stage for Ghana’s independence in 1957 and emphasized the essential role of African women in liberation movements across the continent.

On May 6, 1965, news of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches in the U.S. reached Caribbean islands like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, fueling Black activism abroad. Caribbean civil rights leaders drew direct inspiration from the courage of African Americans fighting for voting rights. The event sparked new movements advocating for fair representation, labor rights, and educational access in formerly colonized islands. It underscored the shared destiny between African-descended peoples globally.

Born on May 6, 1921, Sophie Masite would grow up to become one of South Africa’s pioneering Black women politicians. She later became the first Black woman to be elected mayor in South Africa (1995, Soweto). Her commitment to fighting apartheid through civic activism helped strengthen local governance efforts. Masite’s life symbolized the intersection of gender and racial struggles, inspiring future generations of Black female leaders across the world.

On May 6, 1902, African-American soldiers known as Buffalo Soldiers were deployed to the Philippines during the Philippine-American War. Many Black troops faced racism within the U.S. military but saw military service as a path to full citizenship and dignity. Some African Americans stationed in the Philippines also sympathized with Filipino independence fighters, drawing parallels between colonial subjugation abroad and racial injustice at home. Their deployment highlighted the complexities of race, imperialism, and loyalty.

On May 6, 1994, following South Africa’s first fully democratic elections, Nelson Mandela addressed the international community, affirming a commitment to multiracial democracy. Mandela’s victory was celebrated globally as a triumph against apartheid. His message of reconciliation over vengeance inspired not only Africa but also marginalized groups worldwide seeking justice and dignity. May 6 symbolized the beginning of a new era for South Africa and a landmark in global Black history.

On May 6, 1830, growing opposition against Haitian President Jean-Pierre Boyer erupted into widespread unrest. Boyer had initially unified Haiti but later faced backlash over authoritarian practices and economic hardships. His leadership was significant in maintaining Haiti as a beacon of Black sovereignty in a world dominated by colonial powers. The unrest highlighted the challenges of post-revolutionary governance in Black nations and foreshadowed political struggles Haiti would face throughout its history.

On May 6, 1901, Afro-Mexican entrepreneur William Henry Ellis, born into slavery in Texas but passing as Mexican to navigate racial barriers, publicly proposed a bold plan: encouraging African Americans to migrate to Mexico for better economic and social opportunities. At the height of Jim Crow repression, Ellis envisioned Mexico as a land of freedom where Black families could escape racial violence and acquire land. Working closely with Mexican President Porfirio Díaz’s government, he offered legal expertise, translated between English and Spanish, and marketed Mexico’s promise of equality. Though his plans ultimately faced political obstacles, Ellis’ work represented an early form of Black internationalism — seeking liberation beyond U.S. borders. His story challenges traditional narratives of African American resistance by highlighting how some sought freedom through transnational migration rather than solely domestic struggle. Ellis remains a hidden figure whose life reshaped the meaning of Black mobility and global strategy.