On May 25, legendary jazz musician Miles Davis was born. As a trumpeter, bandleader, and composer, Davis revolutionized American music by pioneering multiple jazz movements—including bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, and jazz fusion. His artistry shaped generations and redefined what jazz could be. In 2008, his landmark 1959 album Kind of Blue was certified four-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, a rare feat for a jazz album. On December 15, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a symbolic resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of Kind of Blue, declaring it a national treasure and honoring Davis’s contribution to American cultural heritage.

On May 25, 1986, approximately 30 million people across 76 countries participated in pop singer Bob Geldof’s “Race Against Time.” This global relay event was part of the Sport Aid campaign and aimed to raise awareness and funds for famine relief in Africa. It followed the success of Live Aid in 1985 and marked one of the largest synchronized mass-participation sporting events in history. The effort raised millions for African famine victims and spotlighted the role of global solidarity in addressing humanitarian crises.

On May 25, 1971, Jo Etha Collier, a young Black woman and high school student, was tragically killed in Drew, Mississippi, by a bullet fired from a passing car. The attack was unprovoked and racially motivated. The following day, May 26, three white men were arrested and charged in connection with the murder. Her death became a stark reminder of the ongoing racial violence and injustice in the American South, even years after the civil rights legislation of the 1960s.

On this day, Jamaica Kincaid was born in St. John’s, Antigua. A celebrated novelist and essayist, Kincaid would go on to write powerful works such as Annie John, Lucy, and A Small Place, blending themes of colonialism, identity, and womanhood. Her lyrical, introspective style has earned her acclaim as one of the most important Caribbean writers of the 20th century.

Leslie Uggams, the award-winning singer and actress known for breaking racial barriers in entertainment, was born in New York City. She made her professional singing debut as a child with the Lawrence Welk Band and went on to become a celebrated performer on stage and screen. Uggams gained national recognition as the host of her own TV variety show, “The Leslie Uggams Show,” in 1969—making her one of the first Black women to host a network television series in the U.S.

On this day in 1943, Henrietta Bradberry was granted U.S. Patent No. 2,320,027 for her invention of the “Bed Rack.” This innovative device could be attached to a bed frame to hold bedclothes, allowing them to hang freely and air out—improving cleanliness and hygiene. Bradberry, an African American inventor, contributed to everyday domestic innovation during a time when few Black women were recognized in the field of patent technology.

On this day in 1943, a violent riot broke out at the Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company in Mobile, Alabama, after twelve Black workers were promoted to welding positions—jobs traditionally held by white workers. The decision, made under federal pressure to desegregate wartime industries, sparked backlash from white employees. Thousands walked off the job, and mobs attacked Black workers, highlighting the racial tensions boiling beneath America’s wartime labor needs. Despite the violence, the event marked a turning point in the fight for equal employment rights in defense industries.

On this day, James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens, while representing Ohio State University in a Big Ten track-and-field meet held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, delivered one of the most extraordinary performances in sports history. Within a span of just 45 minutes, Owens equaled the world record for the 100-yard dash at 9.4 seconds and shattered world records in three other events: the 220-yard dash (20.3 seconds), the 220-yard low hurdles (22.6 seconds), and the long jump (26 feet, 8¼ inches)—a record that stood for 25 years. Owens’ feat is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletic achievements of the 20th century.

On this day, Madame C.J. Walker, the pioneering African American entrepreneur and philanthropist, passed away at the age of 52 in Irvington-on-the-Hudson, New York. Widely considered the first self-made Black woman millionaire in America, Walker built a successful beauty empire focused on hair care products for Black women. Her legacy includes not only her business achievements but also her significant contributions to civil rights and charitable causes.

Tap dancer Luther Robinson—better known as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson—was born in Richmond, Virginia. Renowned for his innovative footwork and pioneering contributions to tap dance, Robinson broke racial barriers in both vaudeville and Hollywood. He was one of the first Black performers to gain widespread fame on both stage and screen, famously dancing alongside Shirley Temple in the 1930s. His legacy continues to influence generations of dancers and entertainers.