1995 – Bernard Harris Receives Congressional Medal for Spaceflight

On May 15, 1995, Dr. Bernard Harris received a special Congressional Space Medal of Achievement for his groundbreaking work as the first African American to perform a spacewalk. Harris, a physician and astronaut, made history earlier that year during the STS-63 mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery. His spacewalk on February 9 symbolized the progress of African Americans in fields once deemed inaccessible. The May 15 award ceremony honored both his personal accomplishments and the broader message of inclusion and representation in STEM fields. Harris’s work inspired educational outreach initiatives to bring more students of color into science and technology. His story continues to encourage young people to aim for the stars—literally—and is often cited as a key moment in expanding what’s possible for Black excellence in science and exploration.