Congressman William Gray elected Democratic Whip of the House of Representatives, the highest ranking position ever held by a African American in Congress.

Cheryl Adrienne Brown wins Miss Iowa pageant and becomes the first African American to compete in the Miss America beauty pageant.

On this day in 1971, Justice Department filed suit against the St. Louis suburb of Black Jack, charging the community with illegally using municipal procedures to block an integrated housing development.

On this day in 1952, Dr. Harold D. West is named President of Meharry Medical College

On this day in 1946, Marla Gibbs, television personality, born

On this day in 1941, John Edgar Wideman, Rhodes scholar, writer, born

On this day in 1939, The Ethel Waters Show, a variety special appears on NBC. It is the first time an African American appears on television

On June 14, 1877, Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Born into slavery in Georgia in 1856, Flipper overcame enormous racial hostility and isolation during his time at the academy. Despite being ostracized by his classmates and subjected to intense scrutiny, Flipper graduated 50th in a class of 76. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to the 10th Cavalry, a distinguished all-Black regiment known as the Buffalo Soldiers. Flipper\’s achievement marked a major milestone in U.S. military and civil rights history. Though later wrongfully discharged, he spent the rest of his life fighting to clear his name—a campaign that finally succeeded in 1999 when President Bill Clinton granted him a posthumous pardon.

On June 14, 1951, William L. Patterson, representing the Civil Rights Congress, delivered the petition “We Charge Genocide” to the United Nations, asserting that the U.S. government was guilty of genocide against African Americans. The 237-page document, co-authored by figures like Paul Robeson and W.E.B. Du Bois, cited systematic killings, social deprivation, and economic exploitation. It drew from the UN\’s Genocide Convention, arguing that centuries of racism and structural violence qualified as genocidal acts. The petition was a bold move at the height of McCarthyism and Cold War tensions and led to intense backlash in the U.S., including surveillance of contributors. Though not formally acted upon by the UN, the petition had global impact—highlighting the civil rights struggle on an international stage and framing Black oppression as a human rights issue. It remains a landmark document in the global civil rights movement.

On June 14, 1963, civil rights leader Medgar Evers was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Just days earlier, Evers had been assassinated in Jackson, Mississippi, for his work as the NAACP field secretary. A World War II veteran, Evers returned from the battlefield to fight another war at home—against segregation, lynching, and voter suppression in the Deep South. His death shocked the nation and drew international condemnation. The massive turnout at his funeral, and the honor of burial at Arlington, recognized not only his military service but also his bravery in America’s civil rights battle. Evers\’ legacy continues to inspire activism and justice, especially in Mississippi, where his murder trial was famously retried decades later—leading to a conviction in 1994. His life and sacrifice remain a powerful symbol of resistance.

On June 14, 1970, Cheryl White made history as the first African American female jockey to race professionally in the United States. At just 17 years old, she raced at Thistledown Race Track in Ohio, competing in a male-dominated and racially exclusive industry. Born into a family deeply involved in horse racing, Cheryl was no stranger to the sport, but her debut shattered both racial and gender barriers. Over her career, she went on to win more than 750 races and earned respect from fans and fellow jockeys alike. Her courage paved the way for women and minorities in the sport, which had seen few Black athletes since the Jim Crow era. Her story highlights the intersection of race and gender in sports and remains a landmark in American athletic history.

On June 14, 1941, Robert L. Carter, who would later become a legal mastermind behind Brown v. Board of Education, enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Carter’s decision to serve came despite the military’s segregationist policies, reflecting a broader struggle among Black Americans who fought for a country that denied them basic rights. After the war, Carter used his legal training and firsthand experience with racial discrimination in uniform to fuel his work with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He played a critical role in challenging segregation in public education, transportation, and housing. His enlistment wasn’t just patriotic—it was a strategic act that added credibility to his postwar legal activism and underscored the hypocrisy of American democracy. Carter’s military service and legal victories bridged two battles: one overseas and one at home.

On June 14, 1968, Eldridge Cleaver, author of Soul on Ice and Minister of Information for the Black Panther Party, fled the United States to avoid prosecution following a shootout with Oakland police. Cleaver’s departure symbolized both the radicalization and the repression of Black political movements during the 1960s. A former convict turned intellectual revolutionary, Cleaver’s Soul on Ice was a bestseller that blended personal narrative with political theory. His exile took him through Cuba, Algeria, and eventually France, where he remained politically active. Cleaver’s journey raised questions about freedom of speech, police violence, and the FBI’s aggressive surveillance of Black activists. His time abroad represented a chapter in the global reach of the Black liberation struggle, showing how civil rights in America resonated with anti-colonial and revolutionary movements worldwide.

Born on June 14, 1889, in North Carolina, Charlotte Hawkins Brown would become a transformative educator and advocate for African American advancement. She founded the Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina, which became one of the most prestigious preparatory schools for Black students in the South. Influenced by Booker T. Washington but also forward-thinking in her methods, Brown emphasized cultural refinement, academic excellence, and leadership. She challenged stereotypes about Black education and made national headlines for her eloquent defense of Black dignity and potential. Brown also served on several national boards, becoming one of the first Black women to have such influence. Her work elevated educational standards and created pathways for generations of African American students. Her legacy lives on through the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum and the many students her institution empowered.

On June 14, 1919, Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) launched its first ship under the Black Star Line, a steamship company aimed at promoting global Black economic independence and repatriation to Africa. The shipping line symbolized Garvey’s Pan-African vision: connecting people of African descent through trade, transportation, and pride. The venture captured the imagination of millions of Black people globally and offered a powerful alternative to dependence on white-dominated systems. Though plagued by financial and political sabotage—including surveillance and interference by the FBI—the Black Star Line remains one of the most ambitious Black-led economic movements in history. It underscored the importance of ownership, infrastructure, and self-reliance in Black liberation ideology. Even after its collapse, the symbolism of the Black Star Line endures in Pan-African movements and continues to inspire leaders worldwide.

On June 14, 1988, Florence Griffith Joyner—later known as “Flo Jo”—qualified for the U.S. Olympic team after a dazzling performance in the 100-meter trials. That summer, she would go on to become the fastest woman in history, setting world records in both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints that still stand today. Known for her blazing speed and flamboyant style—featuring signature one-legged track suits and manicured nails—Flo Jo became an icon of athletic excellence and individuality. Her performance in Seoul, South Korea, later that year would earn her three gold medals and one silver. But June 14 was a pivotal date—it marked her ascension from national talent to international legend. Her style, grace, and domination on the track helped redefine the possibilities for Black women in sports and culture.

On June 14, 1921, Bessie Coleman began training at the Caudron Brothers School of Aviation in France, becoming the first African American woman—and the first Native American woman—to earn a pilot’s license. Denied admission to any flight school in the United States due to both her race and gender, Coleman learned French, traveled overseas, and boldly pursued her dream. Her training was rigorous and dangerous, but she excelled, returning to the U.S. a year later as a media sensation and barnstorming stunt pilot. Coleman used her fame to speak out against racial segregation and refused to perform at venues that discriminated against Black attendees. Her achievements opened doors in aviation for countless others and remain a symbol of defiance, ambition, and excellence against the odds.

On June 14, 1777, Prince Hall and 14 other free Black men formally established African Lodge No. 1 in Boston after being denied admission to existing Masonic lodges. Hall, a Revolutionary War veteran and abolitionist, sought to create a fraternal order that emphasized education, community leadership, and civil rights for African Americans. This move laid the foundation for what would become Prince Hall Freemasonry, a powerful institution in Black communities across the United States and beyond. The organization played a crucial role in advancing civil rights, literacy, and mutual aid during times of intense racial discrimination. Hall’s Masonic tradition eventually expanded globally, particularly in the Caribbean and parts of Africa, where it served as both a moral and political organizing force. Prince Hall’s legacy remains a symbol of resistance, self-determination, and intellectual fraternity within the African diaspora.

On June 14, 1791, Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, a man of African descent born in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), received a promotion in the French Revolutionary Army, eventually rising to the rank of General-in-Chief of the French Army of the Alps. He was the highest-ranking person of African ancestry ever in a Western military until Colin Powell in the U.S. centuries later. Known for his bravery, military genius, and principled stance against slavery, Dumas commanded with both strategic brilliance and personal valor. His life inspired the literary creations of his son, Alexandre Dumas, who authored The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo. Dumas’ military career and moral leadership symbolized the radical, albeit temporary, racial equality envisioned by Revolutionary France—a vision quickly undone by Napoleon, who later imprisoned him and reinstated slavery. His story remains a landmark of diasporic achievement and betrayal.

On June 14, 1820, the American Colonization Society formally declared Liberia as a colony for freed African Americans. Situated on the West African coast, Liberia became the destination for hundreds of freed Black people from the United States, many of whom faced racial terror and economic exclusion post-slavery. Though controversial in motive—some white Americans supported colonization to remove free Blacks from U.S. society—it also offered some freedpeople a sense of autonomy and self-governance. The colony laid the groundwork for Liberia\’s independence in 1847, making it the first African republic governed by people of African descent in modern times. This event also sparked trans-Atlantic debates about race, identity, nationalism, and the future of African descendants globally. The cultural fusion between African American settlers and local ethnic groups shaped Liberian society in complex ways that still influence its political and cultural life today.

Born on June 14, 1875, in London, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was a prodigious composer of African and English descent who achieved international fame in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He became known for integrating African themes and classical European forms, most notably in his celebrated cantata Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast. Coleridge-Taylor’s talent won praise from major institutions, including the Royal College of Music, and earned him invitations to tour the United States, where he was warmly received by African American communities. W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington both lauded his work as a symbol of Black excellence. Despite systemic racism, he helped pave the way for Black composers in Europe and abroad. His legacy lives on in music conservatories and cultural discussions on the fusion of African diasporic identity and Western art traditions.

On June 14, 1935, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie formally appealed to the League of Nations for support against Italy’s imperial invasion, marking a pivotal moment in pre-World War II international politics. Ethiopia, one of the few African nations to maintain its sovereignty during the colonial scramble, faced fascist aggression under Benito Mussolini. Selassie’s speech before the League became a powerful rebuke of global indifference to colonial violence. Although the League condemned Italy, it failed to take meaningful action, revealing the organization\’s inability to enforce its own principles against European powers. Selassie\’s appeal nevertheless galvanized Pan-African and anti-colonial movements across the globe, especially in the Caribbean and the United States. Ethiopia\’s resistance became a beacon of Black pride and dignity, influencing global solidarity efforts and reinforcing Ethiopia’s role as a spiritual and political symbol in the African diaspora.

On June 14, 1949, Kwame Nkrumah assumed leadership of the newly formed Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the Gold Coast (now Ghana), breaking from the United Gold Coast Convention over ideological differences. The CPP, under Nkrumah’s leadership, pushed for immediate independence from British colonial rule, using mass mobilization, strikes, and civil disobedience. His charismatic leadership style, radical Pan-African vision, and appeal to the working class redefined anti-colonial struggle in West Africa. Within eight years, Nkrumah led Ghana to become the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence in 1957. His leadership of the CPP on this date marked a turning point in African political history, shifting the tone from elite negotiations to grassroots empowerment. Nkrumah’s success would inspire liberation movements across the continent and solidify his place as one of Africa’s most influential 20th-century leaders.

On June 14, 1960, weeks before Congo’s formal independence, Patrice Lumumba solidified his role as the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A staunch Pan-Africanist and fiery orator, Lumumba was committed to decolonization without compromise. His vision of a united Congo, free from Belgian interference and neo-colonial control, resonated across Africa and the diaspora. Unfortunately, his radical stance made him a target for Western powers and internal rivals. Within months of assuming power, Lumumba was overthrown and assassinated in a CIA-backed plot. His brief leadership, which began solidly with this June 14 organizational victory, remains a tragic symbol of the post-colonial betrayal of African sovereignty. Lumumba is remembered as a martyr for African unity and resistance against imperial manipulation.

On June 14, 1977, the newly independent Republic of Djibouti was officially admitted to the United Nations, less than a week after declaring independence from France. Located in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti became one of the last African nations to gain independence during the post-colonial era. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea made it geopolitically significant, drawing interest from both Western and Eastern bloc powers during the Cold War. Joining the UN symbolized its full integration into the international community and affirmed the right of African nations to self-determination. Djibouti’s membership also strengthened African voices within the UN General Assembly and reflected broader shifts in global political power away from colonial empires. The nation would later become a key player in regional stability and global maritime security.

On June 14, 1994, South Africa officially rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations following its first democratic elections and the end of apartheid. This marked a significant reintegration of the country into the international community after decades of isolation and condemnation. Nelson Mandela’s election as president not only transformed domestic politics but also restored South Africa’s international standing. Rejoining the Commonwealth served as a symbolic and diplomatic affirmation of the country’s new commitment to democracy, human rights, and racial equality. It also allowed South Africa to participate in educational, economic, and political exchanges with other member states, particularly those with historical colonial ties. This moment represented a global embrace of South Africa’s transformation and provided a model for reconciliation in divided societies.

On June 14, 1951, the First Pan-African Women’s Conference convened in Dakar, Senegal, marking a pivotal moment in global Black feminist history. Organized under the aegis of the Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO), the gathering brought together women leaders from across Africa and the African diaspora to strategize on women\’s roles in anti-colonial movements, economic development, and education reform. Delegates came from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea, and the Caribbean. While much of Pan-African history highlights male leaders, this conference was a powerful assertion of Black women’s political agency on the international stage. The resolutions passed called for equal access to education, women\’s labor rights, and active participation in independence movements. Though largely overshadowed in historical narratives, the Dakar conference laid early groundwork for what would become sustained transnational Black feminist organizing throughout the 20th century. It also set the stage for future women-led activism across post-colonial African states.