On this day in 1961, James B. Parsons made history as the first African American appointed to a lifetime position on the federal bench in the United... Continue →
Omega Psi Phi, the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically Black college, was incorporated on this day.... Continue →
On this day, a federal law went into effect prohibiting the importation of enslaved Africans into the United States. While slavery itself remained... Continue →
On January 1, 1808, the African Benevolent Society for Education was founded in New York City. Created by free African Americans, the society aimed... Continue →
On January 1, 1956, Sudan officially declared its independence from joint British-Egyptian rule. The event marked the emergence of Sudan as a... Continue →
James Meredith became the first Black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi, marking a significant milestone in the American Civil... Continue →
On January 1, 1960, Cameroon gained independence from France, becoming the Republic of Cameroon. This marked a significant moment in the broader wave... Continue →
Kofi Annan began his term as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, making history as the first Black person and the first sub-Saharan... Continue →
Lola Falana, an American singer, dancer, and actress, was born in Camden, New Jersey. Known as the "First Lady of Las Vegas," Falana broke barriers... Continue →
On this day, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. However,... Continue →
On the first day of 1947, drummer Art Blakey laid the foundation for what would become one of the most iconic jazz groups of all time: The Jazz... Continue →
The first celebration of Kwanzaa, created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, concluded on January 1 with "Imani," the seventh principle of the Nguzo... Continue →
A law took effect in Arkansas prohibiting the employment of free Black individuals on boats and ships navigating the state's rivers. This legislation... Continue →
On this day, C. W. Allen invented the self-leveling table, an innovative device designed to maintain a level surface regardless of movement. He was... Continue →
William Monroe Trotter, a Harvard-educated activist and outspoken advocate for civil rights, launched The Guardian as a platform to challenge racial... Continue →
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