On this day in 1951, the Municipal Court of Appeals for Washington, D.C. ruled racial segregation illegal, marking a significant local victory in the broader fight for civil rights. The decision struck down policies that had long enforced separation based on race in the nation’s capital, setting a powerful legal precedent ahead of the Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision just three years later. This ruling highlighted growing momentum against institutionalized racism in public spaces and further galvanized civil rights activism across the country.

After a brutal 30-year struggle, Eritrea officially declared independence from Ethiopia on May 24, 1993. The conflict, which began in 1961, was one of Africa’s longest wars. Following a referendum in which over 99% of Eritreans voted for independence, Eritrea became a sovereign nation, marking a major moment in African decolonization and self-determination.

On this day in 1991, Hal McRae was named manager of the Kansas City Royals, becoming one of only two African-American managers in Major League Baseball at the time. A former All-Star player known for his intensity and strategic mind, McRae’s appointment marked a significant moment in the slow progress toward racial diversity in baseball leadership.

On May 24, 1966, legendary soprano Leontyne Price made history by opening the Metropolitan Opera’s season in New York City. She performed the title role in Antony and Cleopatra, composed by Samuel Barber, marking the inauguration of the Met’s new home at Lincoln Center. Price, one of the first African American singers to achieve international acclaim in opera, was celebrated for her powerful voice and stage presence. Her performance symbolized a major cultural milestone, breaking racial barriers in one of the world’s most prestigious classical music institutions.

Twenty-seven Freedom Riders were arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, for challenging segregation in interstate bus travel. By June 12, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors reported that over 100 Freedom Riders had been arrested. These arrests were part of a broader campaign of nonviolent protest aimed at enforcing the Supreme Court’s ban on segregated bus terminals. The courage and sacrifice of the Freedom Riders galvanized national attention and increased pressure for federal civil rights protections.

On May 24, 1954, Dr. Peter Murray Marshall was installed as president of the New York County Medical Society, becoming the first African American to head any unit of the American Medical Association (AMA). His groundbreaking leadership marked a major milestone in the integration of American medicine and the broader recognition of Black physicians in national professional organizations.

Patricia Louise Holte is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She will rise to international fame under the name Patti LaBelle, becoming one of the most influential voices in American music. In the early 1960s, she organizes and leads the girl group Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, which gains popularity with hits like “I Sold My Heart to the Junkman.”

By the 1970s, the group reinvents itself as the trailblazing funk-rock trio LaBelle, teaming with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash. Their 1974 anthem “Lady Marmalade” breaks barriers and tops the Billboard charts, becoming a cultural landmark.

In 1976, Patti LaBelle embarks on a solo career that cements her as the “Godmother of Soul,” earning acclaim for her powerhouse vocals and hits such as “New Attitude,” “If Only You Knew,” and “On My Own.” Her influence spans genres, and she becomes a beloved figure not only in music, but also in television, food, and philanthropy.

On May 24, 1910, Walter M. Hard, a young Black barber and inventor, patented a mechanical device that significantly improved the reliability of trolley car service. His invention was designed to prevent the electrical contact (known as the trolley pole) from slipping off the overhead wires—a common problem that often caused frustrating delays. Hard’s innovation was expected to reduce service interruptions and increase the efficiency of urban transportation. His achievement highlighted the often-overlooked technical contributions of African Americans to public infrastructure and industrial innovation during the early 20th century.

On this day in 1887, Elijah McCoy, a prolific African American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 363,529 for a Lubricator for Steam-Engine Safety Valves. This innovation improved the efficiency and safety of steam engines by ensuring consistent lubrication under high-pressure conditions—a critical advancement in railway and industrial machinery. McCoy’s reputation for high-quality inventions gave rise to the phrase “the real McCoy”, symbolizing authenticity and excellence.

At Wilson’s Wharf Landing on the James River in Virginia, the First and Tenth Regiments of the United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) heroically repulsed an attack led by Confederate General Fitzhugh Lee. Despite being outnumbered, the Black regiments, supported by a small detachment of white Union soldiers and a battery of light artillery, held their ground and successfully defended the Union position. This engagement was one of several that proved the valor and effectiveness of Black troops in combat during the Civil War.

On May 24, 1861, Union Major General Benjamin F. Butler declared that enslaved people who escaped to Union lines would be considered “contraband of war.” This pivotal decision, made at Fort Monroe in Virginia, allowed the Union Army to avoid returning escaped slaves to Confederate owners, setting a legal and moral precedent that paved the way for broader emancipation policies during the Civil War.

On this day, abolitionist John Brown led an anti-slavery militia in a violent raid on a pro-slavery settlement near Pottawatomie Creek in Franklin County, Kansas. In retaliation for the earlier sacking of Lawrence, Brown and his followers executed five pro-slavery settlers in what became known as the Pottawatomie Massacre. This marked a turning point in the escalating conflict over slavery in the Kansas Territory, a prelude to the wider violence of the Civil War. Though controversial, Brown’s actions drew national attention to the moral crisis of slavery and galvanized both abolitionist and pro-slavery forces in what became known as “Bleeding Kansas.”

On this day, Anthony Burns, a celebrated fugitive slave, was arrested by United States Deputy Marshals in Boston under the Fugitive Slave Act. His arrest sparked national outrage and large public protests. Despite public opposition, Burns was returned to slavery on June 3, 1854, escorted through Boston’s streets by 2,000 federal troops — a striking display of the government’s enforcement of slavery laws in a free state.