Judge Clarence Thomas is confirmed as the 106th associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, its second African American.

On this date in 1974, National Guard mobilized to restore order in Boston school busing crisis.

On this date in 1969, Wyomia Tyus becomes the first person to win a gold medal in the 100 meter race in two consecutive Olympic games.

ON this date in 1949, William Hastie nominated for the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He was the first Black to sit on the court.

ON this date in 1890, Alabama Penny Savings Bank organized in Birmingham.

ON this date in 1883, U.S. Supreme Court declared Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional.

On this date in 1877, the Forty-fifth Congress (1877-79) convened. One U.S. senator, Blanche K. Bruce, Mississippi. Three U.S. congressmen: Richard H. Cain, Joseph H. Rainey, Robert Smalls, South Carolina. Jackson College (Miss.) established.

On this date in 1859, John Brown whom was an abolitionist took direct action to free slaves by force. He led a raid on Harpers Ferry, in mid-October in 1859, being convicted of murder, treason, and conspiracy. But his way of freeing slaves was the most dramatic way of abolitionist impact, ever seen.