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1
Jan

1997 - Kofi Annan of Ghana becomes the first Black Secretary-General of the United Nations.

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 →

1
Jan

1960 - Cameroon Gains Independence

On January 1, 1960, Cameroon gained independence from France, becoming the Republic of Cameroon. This marked a significant moment in the broader wave... Continue →

1
Jan

1956 - Sudan Proclaims Independence

On January 1, 1956, Sudan officially declared its independence from joint British-Egyptian rule. The event marked the emergence of Sudan as a... Continue →

1
Jan

1808 - U.S. Federal Ban on the Importation of African Slaves

On this day, a federal law went into effect prohibiting the importation of enslaved Africans into the United States. While slavery itself remained... Continue →

4
Jan

1971 - Dr. Melvin H. Evans inaugurated as the first elected governor of the Virgin Islands.

Dr. Melvin H. Evans was inaugurated as the first elected governor of the United States Virgin Islands on January 4, 1971. Prior to his election,... Continue →

4
Jan

1958 - Archie A. Alexander passes away

Archie A. Alexander, architectural engineer and former governor of the Virgin Islands, died on this day in 1958 at the age of 69. He had been... Continue →

4
Jan

1901 - Birth of C.L.R. James

C.L.R. James, a Trinidadian historian, journalist, and socialist, was born on this day. He is best known for his influential work The Black Jacobins... Continue →

6
Jan

1820 - First Organized Emigration of Free African Americans to Africa

The first organized emigration to Africa begins as 86 free African Americans depart New York Harbor aboard the Mayflower of Liberia. Their... Continue →

8
Jan

1912 - African National Congress founded

The African National Congress (ANC) was established in Bloemfontein, South Africa, to unite African people and spearhead the struggle for political,... Continue →

8
Jan

1811 - U.S. Troops Suppress the 1811 German Coast Slave Uprising

On this day, U.S. federal troops and local militias suppressed the 1811 German Coast Uprising in Louisiana, one of the largest slave revolts in U.S.... Continue →

9
Jan

1922 - Birth of Ahmed Sékou Touré

Ahmed Sékou Touré, the first President of Guinea, was born on this day. A key figure in the African independence movement, Touré led Guinea to... Continue →

11
Jan

1892 - William D. McCoy of Indiana was appointed U.S. Minister to Liberia.

William D. McCoy, an African American diplomat from Indiana, was appointed as the United States Minister (a role akin to ambassador) to Liberia. His... Continue →

12
Jan

1960 - Birth of Dominique Wilkins

Jacques Dominique Wilkins, Hall of Fame basketball player, was born in Paris, France. Known for his scoring ability and highlight-reel dunks, Wilkins... Continue →

12
Jan

1944 - Birth of "Smokin' Joe" Frazier

Joe Frazier, Olympic gold medalist and heavyweight boxing champion, was born in Beaufort, South Carolina. Known for his relentless fighting style and... Continue →

15
Jan

1967 - First Black Government Installed in the Bahamas

On this day, the Bahamas installed its first Black government, a milestone in the nation’s progress toward independence. This political shift... Continue →

16
Jan

1994 - PAC Suspends Armed Struggle Against Apartheid Government

The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) of South Africa officially suspended its armed campaign against the apartheid government led by President F.W. de... Continue →

17
Jan

1923 - Third Pan-African Congress – First and Second Sessions

The Third Pan-African Congress convened its first and second sessions on this day in London. Organized by W.E.B. Du Bois and other leading figures,... Continue →

17
Jan

1917 - U.S. Assumes Sovereignty Over the Virgin Islands

On this day, the United States officially succeeded Denmark as the sovereign authority in the Virgin Islands, marking a major shift in the region's... Continue →

21
Jan

1824 - Osai Tutu Kwamina Defeats the British at Assamaka

On this day in 1824, Osai Tutu Kwamina, an Ashanti military leader, successfully led forces to defeat the British at Assamaka in present-day Ghana.... Continue →

22
Jan

1801 - Toussaint Louverture Advances on Santiago

Haitian liberator Toussaint Louverture entered the city of Santiago in the eastern part of Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic) as part of his... Continue →

23
Jan

1821 - Lott Cary Leads Freed African Americans to West Africa

On January 23, 1821, minister and former slave Lott Cary departed the United States, leading a group of freed African Americans to West Africa under... Continue →

28
Jan

1997 - At South Africa's Truth Commission, police confessed to the 1977 murder of Steve Biko.

On January 28, 1997, during South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings, former apartheid-era police officers publicly confessed to... Continue →

28
Jan

1970 - Arthur Ashe Denied Entry to South African Open

On January 28, 1970, Arthur Ashe, the first Black man to win Wimbledon, was denied a visa to compete in the South African Open as part of the U.S.... Continue →

29
Jan

1991 - Historic Talks Between Nelson Mandela and Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi

On January 29, 1991, Nelson Mandela, then deputy president of the African National Congress (ANC), and Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi of the Inkatha... Continue →

29
Jan

1966 - Death of Charles Mahoney, First Black American Delegate to the UN

On January 29, 1966, Charles H. Mahoney, the first African American appointed as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations, passed away. A lawyer,... Continue →

3
Feb

1810 - Death of Antonio Ruiz (El Negro Falucho), Black Hero of Argentina

On February 3, 1810, Antonio Ruiz, known as El Negro Falucho, died defending the Argentine flag. A formerly enslaved African who became a soldier, he... Continue →

4
Feb

1969 - MPLA begins armed struggle in Angola

On February 3, 1969, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) intensified its armed struggle against Portuguese colonial rule. As one... Continue →

5
Feb

1958 - Clifton R. Wharton Sr. Confirmed as Minister to Romania

On February 5, 1958, Clifton R. Wharton Sr. was confirmed as U.S. Minister to Romania, becoming the first African American to head a U.S. embassy in... Continue →

7
Feb

1974 - Grenada Gains Independence from Great Britain

On February 6, 1974, the Caribbean nation of Grenada achieved independence from Great Britain. Sir Eric Gairy became the country’s first Prime... Continue →

8
Feb

1925 - Marcus Garvey Begins Federal Prison Sentence

On February 8, 1925, Marcus Garvey, influential Black nationalist and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), entered the... Continue →

11
Feb

1990 - Nelson Mandela is Released from Prison

On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment in South Africa. One of his greatest pleasures—watching the sun... Continue →

12
Feb

1882 - Death of Henry Highland Garnet

Black rights activist Henry Highland Garnet dies, shortly after being appointed as the U.S. ambassador to Liberia. Garnet was a powerful... Continue →

15
Feb

1970 - Protest for Patrice Lumumba Disrupts UN Session

During a United Nations session on Congo, nationalists disrupted the proceedings with a dramatic demonstration in honor of Patrice Lumumba, the slain... Continue →

18
Feb

1965 - Gambia National Independence Day

On February 18, 1965, The Gambia gained independence from British colonial rule and became a sovereign nation within the Commonwealth. Dawda Jawara... Continue →

24
Feb

1966 - Kwame Nkrumah Ousted in Military Coup

Kwame Nkrumah, the elected leader and first president of Ghana, was overthrown in a military coup while on a peace mission to Vietnam. Nkrumah, a... Continue →

27
Feb

1844 - Independence Day of the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic declared its independence from Haiti on February 27, 1844, ending 22 years of Haitian rule. Though complex in its racial and... Continue →

28
Feb

1948 - Sgt. Cornelius F. Adjetey Becomes First Martyr of Ghanaian Independence

On this day, Sergeant Cornelius F. Adjetey was shot and killed by colonial police while leading a peaceful protest of ex-servicemen in Accra,... Continue →

1
Mar

1739 - British Sign Peace Treaty with Jamaican Maroons

The British colonial government, unable to defeat the Maroons—communities of formerly enslaved Africans who had escaped and formed independent... Continue →

2
Mar

1867-Howard University, was established.

On this dated in 1867, Howard University, in Washington, D. C. named for General Oliver O. Howard, was established.

11
Mar

1968 - Mauritius Gains Independence

Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean with a significant population of African and Afro-descendant heritage, achieved independence from... Continue →

13
Mar

1979 - Maurice Bishop Becomes Prime Minister of Grenada

On this day, Maurice Bishop led the New Jewel Movement in a bloodless coup that overthrew the Grenadian government, making him the new Prime... Continue →

16
Mar

1997 - Rebel Forces Capture Kisangani in Zairean Civil War

Rebel troops led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila captured the strategic city of Kisangani during the First Congo War, marking a major turning point in the... Continue →

18
Mar

1909 - Emmett J. Scott Appointed to Liberia Investigation Committee

President Theodore Roosevelt appointed a special committee to investigate political unrest and governance issues in Liberia, a nation founded by... Continue →

18
Mar

1895 - Migration to Liberia from Savannah, Georgia

On this day, 200 Black Americans departed from Savannah, Georgia, to Liberia in West Africa. Motivated by a desire for self-determination and freedom... Continue →

19
Mar

1809 - Birth of Gabriel de la Concepción Valdés, Cuban Poet

Gabriel de la Concepción Valdés, also known as "Plácido," was born in Matanzas, Cuba. A poet of African descent, Plácido became renowned for his... Continue →

21
Mar

1990 - Independence of Namibia

On March 21, 1990, Namibia officially gained independence from South African rule after decades of colonialism and occupation. The historic event... Continue →

21
Mar

1960 - Sharpeville Massacre in Apartheid South Africa

In Sharpeville, South Africa, during a peaceful protest against apartheid pass laws, white South African police opened fire on unarmed Black... Continue →

22
Mar

1492 - Alonzo Pietro Sets Sail with Columbus

Alonzo Pietro, a Black navigator from Spain, is believed to have joined Christopher Columbus's expedition that would lead to the European "discovery"... Continue →

23
Mar

1916 - Marcus Garvey Arrives in the United States

Jamaican-born activist Marcus Garvey arrived in the United States on March 23, 1916, laying the groundwork for one of the most influential Black... Continue →

23
Mar

1942 - Birth of Walter Rodney, Revolutionary Scholar

Walter Rodney, a Guyanese historian, political activist, and author of the seminal work How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, was born on this day. A... Continue →

24
Mar

1837 - Blacks win the right to vote in Canada

On March 24, 1837, Black men in Canada were officially granted the right to vote. This milestone followed the abolition of slavery in the British... Continue →

25
Mar

1967 - Birth of Debi Thomas, Olympic Figure Skater

Debi Thomas, who would go on to become the first African American to win a medal at the Winter Olympics, was born on this day in Poughkeepsie, New... Continue →

25
Mar

1910 - U.S. Liberian Commission Recommends Aid and Naval Presence

The American Liberian Commission, appointed by President William H. Taft, issued a report recommending financial aid to Liberia and the establishment... Continue →

25
Mar

1887 - Treaty of Bisandugu Signed by Samori Touré

Samori Touré, founder of the Wassoulou (Wasulu) Empire in West Africa, signed the Treaty of Bisandugu with French colonial forces. Intended as a... Continue →

27
Mar

1960 – Ghana Becomes a Republic Under Kwame Nkrumah

Though the independence was declared in 1957, Ghana officially became a republic on this date, with Nkrumah sworn in as the first president — a... Continue →

28
Mar

1900 - Queen Yaa Asantewaa and the Ashanti Resistance

On this day, British colonial officials demanded the sacred Golden Stool of the Ashanti—a symbol of the Ashanti people's soul and sovereignty. The... Continue →

29
Mar

1991 - UN Food Program Resumes Aid to Angola

On this day, the United Nations resumed a humanitarian aid program to feed over two million Angolans after the Angolan government lifted a... Continue →

29
Mar

1981 - Death of Dr. Eric Williams, Prime Minister and Historian

Dr. Eric Williams, the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, died in Port of Spain at the age of 79. A pivotal figure in Caribbean politics... Continue →

29
Mar

1959 - Death of Barthélemy Boganda, Founding Father of the Central African Republic

Barthélemy Boganda, the founding father and first President of the Central African Republic, died in a mysterious plane crash. A former Catholic... Continue →

31
Mar

1980 - Death of Jesse Owens, Olympic Gold Medalist

Jesse Owens, the legendary track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, died at age 66 in Tucson, Arizona. Owens’... Continue →

31
Mar

1878 - Birth of Jack Johnson, First Black Heavyweight Boxing Champion

Jack Johnson, the first Black man to win the world heavyweight boxing title, was born in Galveston, Texas. He became champion in 1908 after defeating... Continue →

31
Mar

1797 - Death of Olaudah Equiano, Author and Abolitionist

Olaudah Equiano, a formerly enslaved African who became a prominent abolitionist and author, died in London. His autobiography, The Interesting... Continue →

1
Apr

1930 - Death of Empress Zewditu, First Female Monarch of Modern Ethiopia

Empress Zewditu of Ethiopia, the first and only reigning female monarch of modern Ethiopia, died on this day in 1930. She ruled from 1916 to 1930,... Continue →

1
Apr

1867 - First Black Voters in Tuscumbia, Alabama

In the wake of the Civil War, Black citizens in Tuscumbia, Alabama, voted in a municipal election for the first time. Although this marked a... Continue →

2
Apr

1855 - John Mercer Langston Elected to Public Office

John Mercer Langston was elected clerk of Brownhelm Township in Ohio, making him one of the first African Americans ever elected to public office in... Continue →

3
Apr

1930 - Ras Tafari Crowned Emperor Haile Selassie

Ras Tafari Makonnen was formally proclaimed Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, marking the beginning of a transformative reign. A symbol of... Continue →

4
Apr

1960 - Independence Day in the Republic of Senegal

Senegal officially gained independence from France on April 4, 1960, marking the end of colonial rule and the beginning of sovereign nationhood.... Continue →

6
Apr

1869 - Ebenezer D. Bassett Appointed as First Black U.S. Diplomat

Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett, then Principal of the Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia, was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant as U.S.... Continue →

7
Apr

1997 - First Successful Native Title Claim by the Dunghutti People

The Dunghutti Aboriginal people of New South Wales reached a historic agreement with the Australian government, securing the first successful claim... Continue →

10
Apr

1938 - Death of Nana Annor Adjaye, Pan-Africanist Leader

Nana Annor Adjaye, a respected Ghanaian statesman and Pan-Africanist, passed away in Western Nzima, Ghana. A prominent advocate for African unity and... Continue →

12
Apr

1980 - Coup in Liberia and the Assassination of President William R. Tolbert Jr.

Liberian President William R. Tolbert Jr. and twenty-seven government officials were assassinated during a military coup led by Master Sergeant... Continue →

12
Apr

1898 - Birth of Sir Grantley H. Adams

Sir Grantley Herbert Adams, a pioneering political leader and advocate for Caribbean self-governance, was born in Barbados on... Continue →

15
Apr

1959 - African Freedom Day Declared

At the All-African People’s Conference held in Accra, Ghana, April 15 was declared African Freedom Day. This landmark event, attended by... Continue →

15
Apr

1980 - Zimbabwe Gains Independence from Colonial Rule

On April 15, 1980, Zimbabwe officially gained its independence from British colonial rule, ending decades of white minority governance under the name... Continue →

15
Apr

1919 - Birth of Elizabeth Catlett – Trailblazing Artist and Educator

Elizabeth Catlett, a renowned African American lithographer and sculptor, was born in Washington, D.C. She became the first woman to teach sculpture... Continue →

17
Apr

1758 - Francis Williams Publishes Latin Poems in Jamaica

On April 17, 1758, Francis Williams—an Afro-Caribbean scholar, educator, and poet—published a collection of Latin poetry that demonstrated the... Continue →

18
Apr

1989 - Zimbabwe Celebrates 9th Independence Day

On April 18, 1989, Zimbabwe marked the 9th anniversary of its independence from British colonial rule. The country gained official independence on... Continue →

18
Apr

1980 - Zimbabwe, Independence Day

On April 18, 1980, Zimbabwe officially declared its independence from British colonial rule after nearly a century of foreign domination. Formerly... Continue →

18
Apr

1980 - Reggae singer, Robert Nesta Marley, performs at Zimbabwe Independence Celebration

On April 18, 1980, reggae icon Robert Nesta Marley—better known as Bob Marley—performed at Zimbabwe’s official Independence Day celebration in... Continue →

18
Apr

1955 - Bandung Conference Opens in Indonesia

On April 18, 1955, the Bandung Conference opened in Bandung, Indonesia, bringing together leaders from 29 African and Asian nations. Known as the... Continue →

19
Apr

1989 - Republic Day in Sierra Leone

On April 19, 1989, Sierra Leone marked the 18th anniversary of its transition to a republic. Originally gaining independence from British colonial... Continue →

19
Apr

1971 - Sierra Leone Becomes a Republic

On April 19, 1971, Sierra Leone officially became a republic, marking a significant step in its post-colonial evolution. The West African nation had... Continue →

21
Apr

1966 - Haile Selassie Visits Jamaica – Grounation Day

On April 21, 1966, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, made a historic state visit to Kingston, Jamaica, and was greeted by... Continue →

21
Apr

1878 - Black Emigrants Sail to Liberia on the Azor

On April 21, 1878, the ship Azor departed Charleston, South Carolina, carrying 206 Black Americans seeking a new life in Liberia. Sponsored by the... Continue →

22
Apr

1596 - Haile Selassie Visits Jamaica – Rastafari Movement Landmark

On April 22, 1966, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I made a historic visit to Jamaica, marking a turning point for the global Rastafari movement.... Continue →

23
Apr

1971 - Liberian President William Tubman Dies in Office

On April 23, 1971, William V.S. Tubman, the 19th President of Liberia, died while still in office after 27 years of leadership—the longest... Continue →

26
Apr

1994 - South Africa's First All-Race Elections

On April 26, 1994, South Africa held its first all-race democratic elections, marking the official end of apartheid and a monumental shift toward... Continue →

26
Apr

1785 - John James Audubon Born in Haiti

On April 26, 1785, John James Audubon was born in Les Cayes, Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), to a French naval officer and an African Caribbean mother.... Continue →

27
Apr

1964 - Tanganyika and Zanzibar Unite to Form Tanzania

On April 27, 1964, the Republic of Tanganyika and the People's Republic of Zanzibar united to form the United Republic of Tanzania. This historic... Continue →

27
Apr

1961 - Sierra Leone Gains Independence

On April 27, 1961, Sierra Leone officially gained independence from British colonial rule, becoming a sovereign nation under Prime Minister Sir... Continue →

27
Apr

1961 - Kwame Nkrumah Dies in Exile

On April 27, 1972, Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president and a towering figure in African liberation movements, died at the age of 62 while in... Continue →

27
Apr

1960 - Togo Gains Independence from France

On April 27, 1960, the Republic of Togo gained full independence from French colonial rule, becoming the first West African nation to achieve... Continue →

28
Apr

1992 - Sierra Leone Coup Overthrows President Momoh

On April 28, 1992, a group of young, disillusioned soldiers staged a coup d’état in Freetown, Sierra Leone, overthrowing the government of... Continue →

30
Apr

1828 - Shaka Zulu Assassinated

On April 30, 1828, Shaka kaSenzangakhona, the formidable founder of the Zulu Kingdom, was assassinated by his half-brothers Dingane and Mhlangana.... Continue →

30
Apr

711 - Tarik, the Moor, invades Spain.

On April 30, 711 AD, General Tariq ibn Ziyad, a Nafza Berber commander, led approximately 7,000 troops across the Strait of Gibraltar from North... Continue →

1
May

1946 - William H. Hastie Becomes Governor of Virgin Islands

On May 1, 1946, William H. Hastie was confirmed as the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, making history as the first African American to serve as... Continue →

1
May

1950 – Kwame Nkrumah Launches Positive Action Campaign

On May 1, 1950, Kwame Nkrumah led the Convention People's Party (CPP) in launching the “Positive Action” campaign against British colonial rule... Continue →

1
May

1960 – Nigeria’s First May Day as an Independent Nation

May 1, 1960 marked the first celebration of International Workers’ Day in Nigeria as it approached full independence from Britain (officially... Continue →

1
May

1886 – Haitian Solidarity with Chicago’s Haymarket Protest

While the infamous Haymarket Affair occurred in Chicago on May 1, 1886, less known is the support it garnered among Black Caribbean labor thinkers,... Continue →

1
May

1994 – South Africa’s First May Day under Democracy

On May 1, 1994, just days after its first multiracial democratic elections, South Africa celebrated its most symbolic Workers’ Day in modern... Continue →

1
May

1965 – Malcolm X Delivers Final Message to African Labor Movements

Though assassinated in February 1965, Malcolm X’s final writings and speeches had a profound impact on African labor leaders who gathered on May 1... Continue →

1
May

1978 – Grenada Declares May Day a Public Holiday for Workers

Under the socialist-leaning People’s Revolutionary Government, led by Maurice Bishop, Grenada declared May 1 a public holiday in 1978 to honor... Continue →

1
May

1935 – Pan-African Writers Meet in London on May Day Weekend

In May 1935, a group of prominent African and Caribbean intellectuals, including C.L.R. James and George Padmore, met in London during May Day... Continue →

1
May

1979 – May Day Protests in Brazil Call for Black Worker Recognition

On May 1, 1979, Brazil saw one of its largest labor protests under the military dictatorship, and Afro-Brazilian workers played a prominent role. For... Continue →

1
May

May 1, 1804 – Haiti Declares Itself a Black Republic to the World

While Haiti officially declared its independence from France on January 1, 1804, May 1, 1804 marks the day Jean-Jacques Dessalines publicly... Continue →

2
May

1803 – Haitian Revolution: Death of Toussaint Louverture

On May 2, 1803, Toussaint Louverture, the brilliant leader of the Haitian Revolution, died in a French prison in Fort-de-Joux. Louverture had been... Continue →

2
May

1994 – Nelson Mandela Votes for the First Time

On May 2, 1994, just days before officially becoming South Africa’s first Black president, Nelson Mandela cast his ballot in the country's first... Continue →

2
May

1984 – Michael Jackson Tours Japan

On May 2, 1984, Michael Jackson embarked on a major tour in Japan, marking one of the earliest large-scale performances by a Black American... Continue →

2
May

1973 – Mobutu Sese Seko Declares Zaire’s “Authenticité” Policy

On May 2, 1973, President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) formally advanced his policy of “Authenticité,” a... Continue →

2
May

2005 – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Launches Presidential Campaign

On May 2, 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf officially launched her campaign for the presidency of Liberia. A Harvard-educated economist and long-time... Continue →

2
May

2000 – Launch of BBC’s “Black Britain” Program

On May 2, 2000, the BBC launched “Black Britain,” a landmark program focused on the lives, struggles, and triumphs of Black communities in the... Continue →

2
May

1948 – Kwame Nkrumah Launches the Accra Evening News

On May 2, 1948, future Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah launched the Accra Evening News, a revolutionary newspaper that became the mouthpiece of the... Continue →

3
May

1845-Macon Bolling Allen passes bar examination

Macon Bolling Allen, first African American lawyer admitted to the bar, passed examination at Worchester, Massachusetts.  Macon B. Allen was the... Continue →

3
May

1845 – Birth of Elijah McCoy, Prolific Black Canadian-American Inventor

Elijah McCoy, born in Colchester, Ontario, to formerly enslaved parents, became one of the most prolific inventors in North America. His... Continue →

3
May

1991 – Angola Joins the United Nations

After decades of anti-colonial struggle against Portuguese rule and a long civil war, Angola was officially admitted as a full member of the United... Continue →

3
May

1978 – Death of Jomo Kenyatta, First President of Kenya

Although Jomo Kenyatta died in August, May 3, 1978, marked an important national day of mourning declared in his honor by many African states.... Continue →

3
May

1948 – Jamaica Hosts Its First Labor Day in Tribute to Worker Movements

On May 3, 1948, Jamaica officially celebrated its first national Labor Day to honor the critical role of workers, particularly Black laborers who... Continue →

3
May

1791 – Toussaint Louverture Declares First Victory Against French Forces in Haiti

On May 3, 1791, Toussaint Louverture achieved his first significant military victory against French forces in what would become the Haitian... Continue →

3
May

1969 – Death of Zakaria Mohieddin, Egyptian Military Leader and Politician

Zakaria Mohieddin, a key figure in Egypt's 1952 revolution that ended monarchy rule, died on May 3, 1969. Though not as globally recognized as Gamal... Continue →

3
May

1960 – Founding of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)

On May 3, 1960, the foundations of what would become the Nigeria Labour Congress were laid, unifying various labor movements under a common banner.... Continue →

3
May

2014 – Chibok Girls Kidnapping Sparks Global Movement

Though the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok, Nigeria, occurred on April 14, the #BringBackOurGirls movement reached peak global... Continue →

3
May

1965 – Martin Luther King Jr. Delivers Speech in London Against Apartheid

On May 3, 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a powerful speech in London condemning apartheid in South Africa and linking it to racial... Continue →

3
May

1948 - Kwame Nkrumah Founds the Convention People’s Party’s Predecessor, Igniting Ghana’s Independence Movement

On May 3, 1948, Kwame Nkrumah, galvanized by the recent Accra Riots and the failure of colonial reforms, began organizing the political movement that... Continue →

4
May

1928 – Birth of Hosanna Kabakoro, Liberian-American Journalist and Activist

Born May 4, 1928, in Liberia, Hosanna Kabakoro later became a U.S.-based journalist who used her platform to advocate for African rights during the... Continue →

4
May

1904 – Birth of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghanaian Independence Leader

Kwame Nkrumah, born May 4, 1904, in Nkroful, Gold Coast (now Ghana), became the first Prime Minister and President of independent Ghana. A visionary... Continue →

4
May

1919 – Launch of the Negro World Newspaper by Marcus Garvey

On May 4, 1919, Marcus Garvey’s Negro World newspaper officially launched its expanded international operations. Published by the Universal Negro... Continue →

4
May

1948 – Birth of George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah

Born on May 4, 1948, in Monrovia, Liberia, George Weah rose from humble beginnings to become one of Africa’s greatest footballers and later the... Continue →

4
May

1956 – Martin Luther King Jr. Addresses Ghanaian Parliamentarians

On May 4, 1956, while visiting the Gold Coast (soon-to-be Ghana), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a private speech to a group of Ghanaian... Continue →

4
May

1978 – Death of Alioune Diop, African Intellectual Leader

On May 4, 1978, Senegalese scholar and activist Alioune Diop died. Diop founded Présence Africaine, a Paris-based journal and publishing house that... Continue →

4
May

1994 – Nelson Mandela Prepares for Inauguration as South Africa’s First Black

On May 4, 1994, after South Africa’s historic democratic elections, it was officially confirmed that Nelson Mandela and the African National... Continue →

4
May

1839 - Birth of Prince Alemayehu of Ethiopia, Symbol of Lost Sovereignty

On May 4, 1839, Prince Alemayehu, the son of Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia, was born — a figure whose life became a poignant symbol of colonial... Continue →

5
May

1905-Robert Sengstacke Abbott finds the Chicago Defender calling it,

Robert S. Abbott was founded The Chicago Defender with an initial investment of 25 cents. The Defender, which was once heralded as "The World's... Continue →

5
May

1809 – Mary Prince Born, Abolitionist Author

Mary Prince, born on May 5, 1809, in Bermuda, became the first Black woman to publish an autobiography in Britain, titled The History of Mary Prince... Continue →

5
May

1805 – Birth of Jean Cinéas, Haitian Legal Scholar

Jean Cinéas, born on May 5, 1805, was a prominent Haitian jurist and political thinker. A direct descendant of revolutionary leaders, he played a... Continue →

5
May

1821 – Death of Napoleon Ends Haitian Reparations Negotiations

On May 5, 1821, Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile on Saint Helena. His death marked a pivotal shift for Haiti, which had been forced to negotiate... Continue →

5
May

1949 – Aimé Césaire Publishes Discourse on Colonialism

On May 5, 1949, Martiniquan poet and politician Aimé Césaire released his seminal work, Discourse on Colonialism. In this fiery essay, Césaire... Continue →

5
May

1956 – Samia Nkrumah Born, Future Ghanaian Political Leader

Samia Nkrumah, daughter of Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah and future Parliamentarian, was born on May 5, 1956. Educated internationally, she... Continue →

5
May

1963 – Organization of African Unity Drafted in Addis Ababa

On May 5, 1963, delegates from across Africa gathered in Addis Ababa to draft what would become the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Although... Continue →

5
May

1981 – Bobby Sands' Death Sparks Global Solidarity Movements, Including Among Black Activists

Although Bobby Sands, the Irish hunger striker, died on May 5, 1981, the event resonated across racial lines. Black activists in the U.S., South... Continue →

5
May

1994 – South Africa Holds First Parliamentary Session After Apartheid

On May 5, 1994, the first democratically elected South African Parliament opened after the fall of apartheid, with Nelson Mandela preparing to assume... Continue →

5
May

2010 – African Union Launches the Great Green Wall Initiative

On May 5, 2010, the African Union officially launched the "Great Green Wall" project, a massive effort to combat desertification across the Sahel... Continue →

6
May

1960-President Eisenhower signed Civil Rights Act of 1960.

President Eisenhower signed Civil Rights Act of 1960. The Civil Rights Act of 1960 (Pub.L. 86–449, 74 Stat. 89, enacted May 6, 1960) was a United... Continue →

6
May

1954 – Roger Bannister Breaks 4-Minute Mile; African American Runners Inspired

On May 6, 1954, British runner Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile barrier, an achievement that stunned the world. His feat rippled far beyond... Continue →

6
May

1989 – Alton Byrd Signs with Sacramento Kings

On May 6, 1989, Alton Byrd, one of the United Kingdom’s top basketball talents, signed with the Sacramento Kings, marking a rare British addition... Continue →

6
May

1963 – James Baldwin Publishes “The Fire Next Time” in the UK

On May 6, 1963, The Fire Next Time was officially published in the United Kingdom. James Baldwin’s searing essays explored race relations in... Continue →

6
May

1960 – Nigeria Holds Final Elections Before Independence

On May 6, 1960, Nigeria conducted one of its last parliamentary elections under British colonial rule. These elections paved the way for the... Continue →

6
May

1984 – South African Activist Mamphela Ramphele Banned

On May 6, 1984, South African anti-apartheid leader Mamphela Ramphele was officially banned and confined to the town of Tzaneen. A medical doctor and... Continue →

6
May

1954 – Ghanaian Women Protest Colonial Rule

On May 6, 1954, women in the Gold Coast (modern Ghana) organized a massive demonstration against colonial injustices. Inspired by the growing... Continue →

6
May

1965 – Voting Rights March in Selma Inspires Caribbean Activists

On May 6, 1965, news of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches in the U.S. reached Caribbean islands like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, fueling Black... Continue →

6
May

1921 – Birth of Sophie Masite, South African Political Pioneer

Born on May 6, 1921, Sophie Masite would grow up to become one of South Africa’s pioneering Black women politicians. She later became the first... Continue →

6
May

1902 – African-American Troops Deployed in the Philippines

On May 6, 1902, African-American soldiers known as Buffalo Soldiers were deployed to the Philippines during the Philippine-American War. Many Black... Continue →

6
May

1994 – Nelson Mandela Addresses the World After Victory

On May 6, 1994, following South Africa's first fully democratic elections, Nelson Mandela addressed the international community, affirming a... Continue →

6
May

1830 – Haitian President Jean-Pierre Boyer Faces Uprising

On May 6, 1830, growing opposition against Haitian President Jean-Pierre Boyer erupted into widespread unrest. Boyer had initially unified Haiti but... Continue →

6
May

1901 - William Henry Ellis, Afro-Mexican Businessman, Promotes Migration Plan to Mexico

On May 6, 1901, Afro-Mexican entrepreneur William Henry Ellis, born into slavery in Texas but passing as Mexican to navigate racial barriers,... Continue →

7
May

1976 - William H. Hastie Becomes First Black Governor of U.S. Virgin Islands

On May 7, 1976, William H. Hastie was inaugurated as the first Black governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, marking a pivotal moment in U.S.... Continue →

7
May

1885 - Dr. John E. W. Thompson Appointed U.S. Minister to Haiti

On May 7, 1885, Dr. John E. W. Thompson—an African American graduate of Yale University Medical School—was appointed U.S. Minister Resident and... Continue →

7
May

1840 – Joseph Jenkins Roberts Leaves for Liberia

Joseph Jenkins Roberts, a free Black man from Virginia, set sail for Liberia on May 7, 1840. He would become Liberia’s first Black governor and... Continue →

7
May

1919 – The Amritsar Massacre Sparks Global Solidarity

On May 7, 1919, reports of the Amritsar Massacre (April 13) reached wider Black audiences in the Caribbean and Africa. British colonial forces killed... Continue →

7
May

1954 – Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah Launches Push for Independence

On May 7, 1954, Kwame Nkrumah led the Convention People's Party (CPP) to a major victory in Gold Coast (Ghana) elections. The win showed overwhelming... Continue →

7
May

1963 – OAU Founding Negotiations Intensify in Addis Ababa

On May 7, 1963, African leaders were deep in negotiations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The OAU,... Continue →

7
May

1986 – Liberia’s Samuel Doe Announces Crackdown Amid Crisis

On May 7, 1986, Liberian President Samuel Doe declared emergency measures to suppress rising opposition. His authoritarian leadership, initially... Continue →

7
May

1994 – Nelson Mandela Prepares for Inauguration

On May 7, 1994, Nelson Mandela finalized preparations for his inauguration as South Africa’s first Black president after centuries of colonialism... Continue →

7
May

2002 – Brazil Launches National Afro-Brazilian Awareness Program

On May 7, 2002, Brazil launched a major government initiative focused on increasing Afro-Brazilian visibility, rights, and representation. Known as... Continue →

7
May

2017 – France Elects Christiane Taubira’s Successor as Minister of Justice

On May 7, 2017, following Emmanuel Macron’s election as President of France, conversations about the legacy of Christiane Taubira, France’s first... Continue →

8
May

1999 - Sétif Massacre Sparks Algerian Independence

On May 8, 1945 — the same day World War II officially ended in Europe — a peaceful demonstration in the Algerian town of Sétif turned into a... Continue →

8
May

1876 - Truganini Dies, Colonial Myth of Extinction Begins

On May 8, 1876, Truganini, a Nuenonne woman of the Palawa people and one of the most well-known Aboriginal Tasmanians, died in Hobart at the age of... Continue →

8
May

1884 – Moses Fleetwood Walker Becomes First Black MLB Player

On May 8, 1884, Moses Fleetwood Walker made history as the first African American to play Major League Baseball, appearing for the Toledo Blue... Continue →

8
May

1792 – Haitian Uprising Gains Momentum

By May 8, 1792, the Haitian Revolution—the only successful slave revolt in history—was gaining unstoppable momentum. Black insurgents, many... Continue →

8
May

1970 – Black Consciousness Movement Gains Strength in South Africa

By May 8, 1970, Steve Biko and the South African Students\' Organisation (SASO) had successfully catalyzed the Black Consciousness Movement.... Continue →

8
May

1996 – South Africa’s New Constitution Passed

On May 8, 1996, South Africa’s Constitutional Assembly formally adopted a new constitution, hailed as one of the most progressive in the world. It... Continue →

8
May

1923 – Pan-African Congress Calls for African Self-Rule

At a May 8, 1923 session of the Fourth Pan-African Congress held in London, W.E.B. Du Bois and other leaders called for African self-rule and an end... Continue →

8
May

1902 – Walter Tull Born, British Football Pioneer and War Hero

On May 8, 1902, Walter Tull was born in Folkestone, England. Tull broke racial barriers in early 20th-century Britain, becoming one of the first... Continue →

8
May

1958 – France’s Crisis in Algeria Deepens

On May 8, 1958, Black African soldiers conscripted by France found themselves increasingly drawn into the bloody Algerian War of Independence.... Continue →

8
May

1945 - Madagascar’s Uprising Against French Colonial Rule Begins

On May 8, 1945 — the same day Europe celebrated the end of World War II — thousands of Malagasy people in Madagascar rose up against French... Continue →

9
May

1800 — Birth of John Brown Russwurm, Trailblazing Publisher

John Brown Russwurm, born May 9, 1800, in Jamaica, became one of the first African American college graduates in the United States and a co-founder... Continue →

9
May

1899 — Founding of the African Political Organization in South Africa

On May 9, 1899, the African Political Organization (APO) was founded in Cape Town, South Africa. Initially formed to fight discriminatory laws... Continue →

9
May

1916 — Marcus Garvey Launches UNIA in Jamaica

Marcus Garvey officially launched the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) on May 9, 1916, in Kingston, Jamaica. His vision was clear: a... Continue →

9
May

1921 — South African Native National Congress Petitions British Crown

On May 9, 1921, representatives from the South African Native National Congress (later the African National Congress or ANC) traveled to London to... Continue →

9
May

1945 — African Soldiers Celebrate Victory in Europe (VE Day)

May 9, 1945, marked celebrations across Europe for the end of World War II. Thousands of African soldiers from colonies such as Nigeria, Senegal,... Continue →

9
May

1950 — Eslanda Robeson’s UN Advocacy for African Liberation

On May 9, 1950, Eslanda Robeson, anthropologist, journalist, and activist (and wife of Paul Robeson), delivered powerful advocacy at the United... Continue →

9
May

1967 — Walter Rodney Publishes “Groundings with My Brothers”

Although Groundings with My Brothers was officially published later, on May 9, 1967, historian Walter Rodney delivered key lectures in Jamaica that... Continue →

9
May

1980 — Zimbabwe Admitted to the United Nations

On May 9, 1980, Zimbabwe, newly independent from British colonial rule, was formally admitted into the United Nations. Led by Prime Minister Robert... Continue →

9
May

2002 — South Africa Hosts First African Union Summit

On May 9, 2002, South Africa hosted the inaugural summit of the African Union (AU) in Durban, a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU).... Continue →

9
May

1963 - The Founding of the Organization of African Unity Draft Committee

On May 9, 1963, African leaders met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to finalize the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), an institution... Continue →

10
May

1994 - Nelson Mandela Becomes First Black President of South Africa

On May 10, 1994, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was inaugurated as the first Black and democratically elected President of South Africa. Held at the Union... Continue →

10
May

1967 – Stokely Carmichael Coins “Black Power” in the Caribbean

On May 10, 1967, Stokely Carmichael (later known as Kwame Ture), a Trinidadian-born civil rights activist, delivered a groundbreaking speech at... Continue →

10
May

1881 – Birth of Hubert Harrison, “Father of Harlem Radicalism”

Born in St. Croix on May 10, 1881, Hubert Harrison became one of the most influential Black intellectuals of the early 20th century. Often called the... Continue →

10
May

1979 – Black British Activists Protest Thatcher’s Immigration Laws

On May 10, 1979, Black British and Caribbean activists staged coordinated protests in response to Margaret Thatcher’s harsh immigration rhetoric... Continue →

10
May

1801 – Haitian General Toussaint Louverture Deported by France

On May 10, 1801, Haitian revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture was deceitfully captured by French forces and deported to France. Invited under... Continue →

10
May

1903 – Formation of the African Society in London

On May 10, 1903, the African Society was formally established in London to promote African culture, scholarship, and political thought. Founded by... Continue →

10
May

1981 – Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum Approved in Ghana

On May 10, 1981, the Ghanaian government under President Hilla Limann approved plans to construct a national mausoleum in honor of Kwame Nkrumah,... Continue →

10
May

1968 – Assassination Attempt on Tom Mboya Foreshadows Kenya’s Crisis

On May 10, 1968, Tom Mboya, a prominent Kenyan politician and architect of the nation’s independence, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in... Continue →

10
May

1983 – Maurice Bishop Warns of U.S. Interference in Grenada

On May 10, 1983, Prime Minister Maurice Bishop of Grenada delivered a fiery speech warning of increasing U.S. hostility toward his socialist... Continue →

10
May

1903 - Abyssinian Victory at the Battle of Adwa Celebrated with National Unity Day in Ethiopia

On May 10, 1903, Ethiopia commemorated the decisive victory at the Battle of Adwa (1896) with the first National Unity Day celebration under Emperor... Continue →

11
May

1933-Louis Farrakhan Muhammad, Sr was born on this day.

On May 10, 1933, Louis Farrakhan (born Louis Eugene Walcott) was born in The Bronx, New York. A classically trained violinist and former calypso... Continue →

11
May

1854 - Asadata Dafora's "Kykunkor" Premieres in NYC

On May 11, 1934, Sierra Leonean artist Asadata Dafora premiered his groundbreaking opera-dance drama Kykunkor (The Witch Woman) at the Little Theater... Continue →

11
May

1946 – Cameroon's Ruben Um Nyobé Begins Anti-Colonial Advocacy

On May 11, 1946, Ruben Um Nyobé, a Cameroonian teacher and nationalist, presented a petition to the United Nations on behalf of Cameroon’s... Continue →

11
May

1981 – Bob Marley's Death

On May 11, 1981, Bob Marley, the Jamaican singer and global icon, passed away at just 36. More than a musician, Marley was a spiritual and political... Continue →

11
May

1987 – Paul Boateng Becomes UK's First Black Cabinet Minister

On May 11, 1987, Paul Boateng was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Brent South, marking a pivotal moment in British politics. A British... Continue →

11
May

1960 – South African Anti-Apartheid Activist Helen Joseph Survives Assassination Attempt

On May 11, 1960, anti-apartheid activist Helen Joseph survived a failed assassination attempt outside her home in Johannesburg. Though white, Joseph... Continue →

11
May

1893 – First Pan-African Conference Proposed by Henry Sylvester-Williams

On May 11, 1893, Trinidadian lawyer Henry Sylvester-Williams publicly proposed a conference to address the global concerns of African-descended... Continue →

11
May

1951 – Birth of François Bozizé, Central African Leader

François Bozizé, future president of the Central African Republic, was born on May 11, 1951, in Mouila, Gabon. His presidency (2003–2013) marked... Continue →

11
May

2000 – Launch of South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report

On May 11, 2000, the final volume of South Africa\'s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report was released. Chaired by Archbishop Desmond... Continue →

11
May

1982 – Launch of Africa Day in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

On May 11, 1982, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) officially adopted Africa Day as an annual observance across its member nations. Though the... Continue →

11
May

1946 – Kwame Nkrumah Returns to Ghana to Begin Political Career

On May 11, 1946, Kwame Nkrumah returned to the Gold Coast (now Ghana) after years studying and organizing in the United States and the UK. Upon his... Continue →

11
May

1871 – Death of Jean-Baptiste Belley, Haitian Revolutionary and French Politician

Jean-Baptiste Belley, a former slave turned revolutionary leader and French legislator, died on May 11, 1871. Born in Senegal and enslaved in... Continue →

11
May

1963 - Nguy?n V?n Tr?i, Afro-Vietnamese Revolutionary, Sentenced to Death

On May 11, 1963, Nguy?n V?n Tr?i, a young Vietnamese electrician and revolutionary with Afro-Asian heritage, was sentenced to death by South... Continue →

12
May

1958-Summit Meeting of National Negro Leaders called

On May 12, 1958, a pivotal summit of leading African American civil rights figures was convened in Washington, D.C. The gathering aimed to accelerate... Continue →

12
May

1900 – Birth of Lincoln Alexander, Canada’s First Black MP

Lincoln Alexander was born on May 12, 1900, in Toronto, Canada. He would become the first Black Member of Parliament (MP) in Canadian history in... Continue →

12
May

1994 – South Africa's First Black Parliament Convenes

On May 12, 1994, South Africa’s first democratic and multiracial Parliament was formally opened following the end of apartheid. Nelson Mandela had... Continue →

12
May

1900 – "Anténor Firmin's Legacy Resurfaces at Paris Expo"

On May 12, 1900, during the Paris Exposition, Anténor Firmin’s groundbreaking 1885 work The Equality of the Human Races resurfaced among... Continue →

12
May

1948 – "Apartheid Legalized by South African Parliament"

On May 12, 1948, the National Party of South Africa formally enacted apartheid after winning the general election. This began the legal codification... Continue →

12
May

1994 – "First Black South African Ambassadors Appointed"

On May 12, 1994, following the end of apartheid, Nelson Mandela’s new government appointed the first Black South African ambassadors to key foreign... Continue →

12
May

1896 – "The Birth of Claudia Jones, Mother of Black British Feminism"

Born on May 12, 1915, in Trinidad, Claudia Jones would go on to become one of the most important voices in Black British history. After migrating to... Continue →

12
May

1977 – "Steve Biko's Banned Speech Leaked to International Press"

On May 12, 1977, a smuggled speech by South African activist Steve Biko was leaked to the international press. Biko, who had been silenced under... Continue →

12
May

1803 – "Toussaint Louverture’s Memoirs Reach France"

On May 12, 1803, fragments of Toussaint Louverture’s memoirs, written while imprisoned at Fort de Joux, were smuggled out of France and reached... Continue →

12
May

1961 - Jomo Kenyatta Freed: The Catalyst for Kenya’s Final Push to Independence

On May 12, 1961, Jomo Kenyatta—Kenya’s foremost nationalist leader and anti-colonial activist—was officially released from colonial restriction... Continue →

13
May

1888 – Slavery Officially Abolished in Brazil

On May 13, 1888, Brazil passed the \"Lei Áurea\" or \"Golden Law,\" formally abolishing slavery in the country—the last nation in the Western... Continue →

13
May

1888 – Brazil Abolishes Slavery: The Golden Law

On May 13, 1888, Brazil officially abolished slavery with the signing of the \"Lei Áurea\" or Golden Law by Princess Isabel. This historic act freed... Continue →

13
May

1950 – South Africa Defies UN Over Apartheid

On May 13, 1950, South Africa rejected United Nations calls to end racial discrimination, doubling down on its apartheid system. This act marked a... Continue →

13
May

1969 – Stokely Carmichael Addresses Pan-African Congress

On May 13, 1969, Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture), a leading voice in the global Black Power movement, addressed the Pan-African Cultural Festival in... Continue →

13
May

1960 – Leopold Senghor Advocates for African Socialism

On May 13, 1960, Senegalese poet and statesman Léopold Sédar Senghor delivered a speech outlining his vision for “African Socialism” during a... Continue →

13
May

1975 – Angola Joins OAU Amid Independence Struggle

On May 13, 1975, Angola was granted full membership in the Organization of African Unity (OAU) ahead of its official independence from Portugal later... Continue →

13
May

1842 – Joseph Jenkins Roberts Fights for Liberian Autonomy

On May 13, 1842, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, a free Black man from Virginia and prominent settler in Liberia, delivered a pivotal speech advocating for... Continue →

13
May

1994 – Nelson Mandela Sworn in as South Africa’s First Black President (Global Celebrations Continue)

Although Nelson Mandela was officially inaugurated on May 10, 1994, the global celebration of his leadership continued throughout the week,... Continue →

13
May

1943 – Marcus Garvey Honored Posthumously by UNIA in Jamaica

On May 13, 1943, members of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Jamaica held a memorial for Marcus Garvey, who had passed away... Continue →

13
May

1909 – First African-Owned Bank in West Africa Founded

On May 13, 1909, the West African Bank Corporation was established in Lagos, Nigeria, becoming one of the earliest African-owned financial... Continue →

14
May

1969-John B. Mclendon becomes first African American professional head coach.

John B. Mclendon becomes first African American American Basketball Association (ABA) head coach and the first African American professional head... Continue →

14
May

1888 – Slavery Abolished in Brazil

On May 14, 1888, Brazil formally abolished slavery with the passage of the Lei Áurea (Golden Law), ending centuries of enslavement in the largest... Continue →

14
May

1885 – Founding of the Congo Free State under King Leopold II

On May 14, 1885, the Congo Free State was formally established under the personal control of King Leopold II of Belgium. What was promoted as a... Continue →

14
May

1796 – Birth of Jan van Riebeeck’s Slave Descendant, Catharina van der Zee

Catharina van der Zee, a prominent figure descended from enslaved people brought to South Africa by Dutch settlers, was born on May 14, 1796. Living... Continue →

14
May

1964 – Martin Luther King Jr. Meets with Kenyan Leaders

On May 14, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. met with Kenyan Vice President Oginga Odinga during a visit to East Africa. The meeting symbolized a... Continue →

14
May

1945 – African Soldiers Liberate European Towns in WWII

On May 14, 1945, just days after VE Day, African soldiers serving in the French army participated in the liberation of Austrian and German towns.... Continue →

14
May

1804 – Haiti Reaffirms Independence with Anti-Colonial Edict

On May 14, 1804, Haitian leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines issued one of the early decrees reaffirming Haiti’s independence from France. This came... Continue →

14
May

1921 – Pan-African Congress in London Ends

The third Pan-African Congress concluded on May 14, 1921, in London. Organized by W.E.B. Du Bois and British-African intellectuals, the event brought... Continue →

14
May

1963 – Zambia Nationalist Leaders Detained

On May 14, 1963, the British colonial government in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) arrested leading figures from the United National Independence... Continue →

14
May

1857 – Abolitionist Mary Ann Shadd Publishes in Canada

On May 14, 1857, Mary Ann Shadd Cary published an editorial in the Provincial Freeman, one of Canada’s first anti-slavery newspapers. An African... Continue →

14
May

2000 – Afro-Colombian Communities Gain Land Rights

On May 14, 2000, Colombia’s Constitutional Court upheld the territorial rights of Afro-Colombian communities under Law 70. Originally passed in... Continue →

14
May

1854 - William Cuffay, Black British Chartist, Exiled for Democracy

On May 14, 1854, William Cuffay, a Black British political activist and former leader of the Chartist movement, died in exile in Tasmania. Born in... Continue →

15
May

1957 - André-Marie Mbida Becomes First Prime Minister of Cameroon

On May 15, 1957, André-Marie Mbida made history by becoming the first Prime Minister of Cameroon, then still under French colonial rule. As the... Continue →

15
May

2002 – Halle Berry Honored at Cannes for ‘Monster’s Ball’

On May 15, 2002, Halle Berry received special recognition at the Cannes Film Festival following her historic Academy Award win for Monster’s Ball.... Continue →

15
May

1990 – South African Student Movement Marches for Mandela

On May 15, 1990, student-led demonstrations across U.S. and European campuses called for increased pressure on South Africa to fully dismantle... Continue →

15
May

1923 – Founding of the African National Congress Women's League

On May 15, 1923, South African women organized under the African National Congress (ANC) to form what would later become the ANC Women’s League.... Continue →

15
May

1948 – Accra Riots Lead to Accelerated Push for Ghanaian Independence

By May 15, 1948, in the wake of violent clashes between British colonial police and African veterans in Accra, Ghana (then the Gold Coast), the... Continue →

15
May

1958 – African Freedom Charter Announced in Accra

On May 15, 1958, in Accra, Ghana, African leaders gathered for the All-African Peoples’ Conference where they adopted principles later reflected in... Continue →

15
May

1961 – Patrice Lumumba Honored Posthumously by Pan-African Leaders

On May 15, 1961, four months after the assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, African and Caribbean leaders held a memorial across... Continue →

15
May

1969 – Walter Rodney Barred from Jamaica, Sparking Global Outrage

On May 15, 1969, the Jamaican government barred Guyanese scholar Dr. Walter Rodney from returning to his teaching post at the University of the West... Continue →

15
May

1972 – Mobutu Sese Seko Renames Congo to Zaire

On May 15, 1972, President Mobutu Sese Seko of the Democratic Republic of the Congo officially renamed the country “Zaire” as part of his... Continue →

15
May

1987 – Thomas Sankara's Revolutionary Reforms Broadcast Internationally

On May 15, 1987, Burkina Faso’s President Thomas Sankara addressed an international youth summit in Ouagadougou, detailing his revolutionary... Continue →

15
May

1991 – Nelson Mandela Elected President of South Africa's ANC

On May 15, 1991, Nelson Mandela was elected President of the African National Congress (ANC), officially taking over leadership of South Africa’s... Continue →

15
May

2002 – African Union Endorses NEPAD Development Program

On May 15, 2002, the African Union officially endorsed the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), an ambitious program aimed at ending... Continue →

15
May

1901 - Charlotte Maxeke Founds South Africa’s First Black Women’s Organization

On May 15, 1901, Charlotte Maxeke, one of South Africa’s most influential early activists, co-founded the African Methodist Episcopal (AME)... Continue →

16
May

1870 – First African American Consul Appointed: Ebenezer D. Bassett

Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett was appointed on May 16, 1870, as the first African American diplomat to a foreign country, serving as U.S. Minister... Continue →

16
May

1983 – Bob Marley Honored with Ghanaian Commemorative Stamp

On May 16, 1983, the Republic of Ghana issued a commemorative stamp honoring reggae icon Bob Marley, two years after his death. Though Jamaican by... Continue →

16
May

1957 – Kwame Nkrumah Visits Liberia After Ghana’s Independence

On May 16, 1957, Ghana’s Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah made a historic diplomatic visit to Liberia following Ghana’s independence from British... Continue →

16
May

1983 – Walter Sisulu Arrested Again in South Africa

On May 16, 1983, anti-apartheid leader Walter Sisulu was re-arrested by South African authorities despite already serving a life sentence since the... Continue →

16
May

1871 – African-Brazilian Revolt in Bahia Suppressed

On May 16, 1871, Brazilian authorities violently suppressed an Afro-Brazilian revolt in the province of Bahia, where resistance to slavery and racial... Continue →

16
May

1975 – Angela Davis Speaks at Cuban Women’s Federation

On May 16, 1975, American activist Angela Davis delivered a keynote speech at the Federation of Cuban Women conference in Havana. Davis, an outspoken... Continue →

16
May

1881 – Founding of the American Negro Academy

On May 16, 1881, the intellectual foundation for African American scholarly advancement was laid with the founding of the American Negro Academy in... Continue →

16
May

1994 – Jamaica Passes the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms

On May 16, 1994, Jamaica passed the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, significantly expanding protections for civil liberties, including... Continue →

16
May

1930 – Haile Selassie Visits Ethiopia’s Southern Provinces

On May 16, 1930, Ras Tafari Makonnen, soon to be crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I, conducted an official tour of southern Ethiopia to consolidate... Continue →

16
May

1951 - First Pan-African Women’s Conference Opens in Dakar, Senegal

On May 16, 1951, the First Pan-African Women’s Conference convened in Dakar, Senegal—marking a critical but underrecognized moment in global... Continue →

17
May

1997 - Laurent Kabila Renames Zaire to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

On this day, rebel leader Laurent-Désiré Kabila seized power in Zaire, ending the 37-year dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko. Upon taking control,... Continue →

17
May

1961 – Jamaican Delegation Meets with British Officials

On May 17, 1961, a Jamaican delegation held crucial talks with British officials in London to finalize terms for Jamaica’s independence. These... Continue →

17
May

1977 – African Liberation Day Rally in London

On May 17, 1977, thousands gathered in London to commemorate African Liberation Day, calling for the end of apartheid and neocolonialism across... Continue →

17
May

1980 – Zimbabwe Gains Full Commonwealth Membership

On May 17, 1980, Zimbabwe was officially recognized as a full member of the Commonwealth of Nations, following its independence from British colonial... Continue →

17
May

2009 – Usain Bolt Breaks 150m World Record

On May 17, 2009, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt set an unofficial world record in the rarely run 150-meter race during the Great City Games in... Continue →

17
May

1963 – Kenyan Women Protest Colonial Oppression

On May 17, 1963, a large protest led by Kenyan women took place in Nairobi against the continued imprisonment of political activists under British... Continue →

17
May

1991 – Nelson Mandela Addresses U.S. Congress

On May 17, 1991, Nelson Mandela addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress during his post-prison tour to gain international support for ending... Continue →

17
May

1956: Kwame Nkrumah Legalizes the Convention People's Party in Ghana

On May 17, 1956, Ghanaian Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah officially legalized the Convention People\'s Party (CPP), a decisive moment in Ghana’s path... Continue →

18
May

1962 - Ernie Davis dies

Ernie Davis,  an American football halfback at Syracuse University and the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961, dies... Continue →

18
May

1960 – Yannick Noah Born: French Open Champion and Afro-European Trailblazer

Yannick Noah, one of the most celebrated Afro-European athletes in tennis history, was born on May 18, 1960, in Sedan, France, to a Cameroonian... Continue →

18
May

1814 – Formation of the British Colonial Marines of Escaped African Americans

On May 18, 1814, during the War of 1812, the British officially formed the Corps of Colonial Marines—military units composed of formerly enslaved... Continue →

18
May

1956 – The Founding of the All-African People's Conference Planning Committee

On May 18, 1956, the groundwork was laid for the All-African People’s Conference (AAPC) when leaders from across the continent initiated planning... Continue →

19
May

1965 - Patricia Roberts Harris becomes ambassador to Luxembourg.

On May 19, 1965, Patricia Roberts Harris was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, making her the... Continue →

19
May

1988 - Cuban-African Soldiers Help End Apartheid Regimes in Africa

On May 19, Pan-Africanists often reflect on Cuba’s pivotal role in African liberation, particularly the decisive victory at the Battle of Cuito... Continue →

19
May

1943 – Kwame Nkrumah Earns Theology Degree in the U.S.

On May 19, 1943, future Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah earned a theology degree from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, marking a pivotal moment... Continue →

19
May

1963 – OAU Precursor Conference Unites Africa’s Leaders

On May 19, 1963, African leaders convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to finalize plans for the historic formation of the Organization of African Unity... Continue →

19
May

1935 – Afro-Cuban Protesters March Against U.S. Imperialism

On May 19, 1935, Afro-Cuban laborers in Havana organized mass protests against U.S. imperialist influence and local racial exploitation. The protests... Continue →

19
May

1948 – Jomo Kenyatta Wins Political Victory in Kenya

On May 19, 1948, Jomo Kenyatta, a key architect of Kenya’s independence, won a major political victory when he was elected president of the Kenya... Continue →

19
May

1950 – Anti-Colonial Riots Erupt in Port of Spain, Trinidad

On May 19, 1950, anti-colonial protests escalated into full-scale riots in Port of Spain, Trinidad, triggered by rising food prices, racial... Continue →

19
May

1987 – Winnie Mandela Speaks to the UN on Apartheid

On May 19, 1987, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela delivered a powerful speech to United Nations delegates in Geneva, demanding global sanctions against... Continue →

19
May

1962 – Launch of Algeria’s National Radio Highlights Afro-Arab Solidarity

On May 19, 1962, during the final months of the Algerian War of Independence, Algeria’s National Liberation Front (FLN) launched its national radio... Continue →

20
May

1743 — Toussaint Louverture Born in Saint-Domingue

Born on May 20, 1743, in Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti), Toussaint Louverture became the architect of the only successful slave revolt in modern... Continue →

20
May

1805 - Haiti Abolishes Slavery

On May 20, 1805, Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines of Haiti issued Haiti\'s second constitution, reaffirming the total abolition of slavery. This... Continue →

20
May

1902 - Cuban Independence and Black Soldiers

May 20, 1902, marks the official date of Cuban independence from U.S. military occupation, and it’s essential to highlight the key role Afro-Cuban... Continue →

20
May

1923 - Marcus Garvey Found Guilty

On May 20, 1923, Marcus Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), was convicted of mail fraud in the United States—a... Continue →

20
May

1975 - Guinea-Bissau’s Amílcar Cabral Honored Posthumously

On May 20, 1975, Amílcar Cabral, revolutionary leader of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, was posthumously honored by the Organization of African Unity... Continue →

20
May

1960 - Togo Joins the United Nations

On May 20, 1960, Togo became a member of the United Nations shortly after gaining independence from France on April 27 of the same year. Togo’s... Continue →

20
May

1988 - Zumbi's Legacy Revived in Brazil

On May 20, 1988, Brazil passed legislation to officially recognize Zumbi dos Palmares as a national hero, exactly 100 years after the abolition of... Continue →

20
May

1968 - UN Condemns Apartheid

On May 20, 1968, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2396, formally condemning South Africa’s apartheid regime and calling on... Continue →

20
May

1945 - Pan-African Congress Prepares for Global Impact

On May 20, 1945, planning intensified for the historic Fifth Pan-African Congress, which would be held in Manchester later that year. Led by George... Continue →

20
May

2001 - Liberia Elects First Black Female Mayor

On May 20, 2001, Ophelia Hoff Saytumah was elected as the Mayor of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia—becoming the city’s first Black woman to hold... Continue →

21
May

1966 – Guyana Gains Independence from British Colonial Rule

On May 21, 1966, Guyana achieved independence from Britain after decades of colonial rule. As the first English-speaking country in South America to... Continue →

21
May

1904 – The First Pan-African Congress Concludes in London

The First Pan-African Congress officially concluded on May 21, 1904, in London, marking a foundational moment in global Black unity. Led by Henry... Continue →

21
May

1963 – Martin Luther King Jr. Visits Ghana to Support African Liberation

On May 21, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Ghana, deepening his international commitment to Black liberation. Invited by President Kwame... Continue →

21
May

1994 – Malawi Holds First Democratic Elections Post-Apartheid Era Influence

May 21, 1994, marked Malawi’s first multi-party democratic elections, ending three decades of one-party rule under Hastings Banda. This historic... Continue →

21
May

1966 – Kwame Nkrumah Begins Exile After Ghana Coup

On May 21, 1966, deposed Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah began his political exile in Guinea following a CIA-backed coup earlier that year. Once the... Continue →

21
May

1833 – African American Delegates Attend British Anti-Slavery Convention

On May 21, 1833, several African American abolitionists attended the British Anti-Slavery Convention in London, forging vital international... Continue →

21
May

1988 – South African Student Protests Shake Apartheid Regime

On May 21, 1988, South African students led coordinated protests across the nation demanding an end to apartheid education policies and political... Continue →

21
May

2000 – African Renaissance Campaign Launches at OAU Summit

On May 21, 2000, African heads of state gathered in Lomé, Togo, to promote the African Renaissance campaign during the Organization of African Unity... Continue →

21
May

1799 - The Haitian Revolution’s Battle of Tiburon: A Strategic Victory Against Colonial France

On May 21, 1799, revolutionary forces in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) secured a strategic victory at the Battle of Tiburon during the Haitian... Continue →

22
May

1963 – Organization of African Unity Founded

On May 22, 1963, African leaders convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to establish the Organization of African Unity (OAU), marking a pivotal moment in... Continue →

22
May

1856 – South Africa’s First Black Journalist, Tiyo Soga, Ordained

On May 22, 1856, Tiyo Soga, a Xhosa intellectual and freedom advocate, was ordained in the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, becoming the first... Continue →

22
May

1990 – Yemen Unification and Its Impact on African Diaspora Migration

On May 22, 1990, North and South Yemen officially unified, forming the Republic of Yemen. While often overlooked in Black history, this geopolitical... Continue →

22
May

2010 – Jamaica Elects First Female Prime Minister of African Descent (Portia Simpson Miller) for Second Term

On May 22, 2010, Portia Simpson Miller was re-elected as President of the People’s National Party, setting the stage for her second term as... Continue →

22
May

1969 – Equatorial Guinea Joins the United Nations

On May 22, 1969, Equatorial Guinea officially became the 128th member of the United Nations. Having gained independence from Spain just a year prior,... Continue →

22
May

2015 – Burundi Protests Spark Regional Black Resistance Solidarity

On May 22, 2015, massive protests escalated in Bujumbura, Burundi, following President Pierre Nkurunziza\'s controversial bid for a third term. The... Continue →

22
May

1946 – Marcus Garvey’s Body Returned to Jamaica

On May 22, 1946, the body of Marcus Mosiah Garvey was returned to Jamaica from London, five years after his death. This symbolic act reconnected the... Continue →

22
May

1910 – South Africa’s Union Constitution Passed, Cementing White Rule

On May 22, 1910, the Union Constitution of South Africa was enacted, uniting four colonies into one white-dominated state. This constitution codified... Continue →

22
May

1991 – Eritrean Independence Referendum Campaign Launched

On May 22, 1991, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) captured Asmara, effectively ending Ethiopia’s control over the region and... Continue →

22
May

1967 – Biafran Secession Looms: Prelude to Nigerian Civil War

On May 22, 1967, escalating tensions in southeastern Nigeria reached a boiling point as Lieutenant Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu intensified preparations... Continue →

22
May

1961 - Patrice Lumumba's Final Letter Smuggled from Captivity – A Global Wake-Up Call (1961)

On May 22, 1961, the world began to learn the full scope of Belgian and Western complicity in African neo-colonialism when excerpts from Patrice... Continue →

23
May

1971 - First Aboriginal Senator in Australia: Neville Bonner

Neville Bonner, a respected Aboriginal leader and president of the One People of Australia League, was selected to fill a Senate vacancy, becoming... Continue →

23
May

1878 - John Henry Smyth Appointed U.S. Minister to Liberia

On May 23, 1878, attorney John Henry Smyth was appointed as U.S. Minister to Liberia. A prominent African American diplomat and advocate for civil... Continue →

23
May

1910 – Birth of Scipio Africanus Jones Jr., African-American Diplomat in Liberia

Scipio Africanus Jones Jr. was born on May 23, 1910, into a legacy of Black excellence and civil rights. As a U.S. diplomat, he was stationed in... Continue →

23
May

992 – Angola and Cuba Sign Final Military Withdrawal Accord

On May 23, 1992, Angola and Cuba signed the final military accord confirming Cuba’s full troop withdrawal after nearly 15 years of support in the... Continue →

23
May

1963 – Founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)

On May 23, 1963, thirty-two African nations convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU), a historic milestone... Continue →

23
May

1958 – Martin Luther King Jr. Visits Ghanaian Parliament

On May 23, 1958, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the Ghanaian Parliament during his post-independence visit to Ghana, one of the first African... Continue →

23
May

1805 – Birth of William Craft, Escapee and Abolitionist in England

William Craft, born on May 23, 1805, famously escaped slavery with his wife Ellen Craft through a daring disguise in 1848. After their escape, the... Continue →

23
May

2000 – First African Union Ministerial Conference on Water (AMCOW)

On May 23, 2000, African ministers met in Abuja, Nigeria, for the first African Ministerial Conference on Water (AMCOW), addressing water security... Continue →

23
May

1949 – Haiti Declares Mourning for African American Scholar W.E.B. Du Bois

On May 23, 1949, Haiti declared a national day of mourning for W.E.B. Du Bois after false reports of his death circulated. Although premature, the... Continue →

23
May

1900 – Queen Victoria Meets with South African Zulu Delegation

On May 23, 1900, Queen Victoria met with a Zulu delegation from South Africa amid growing unrest during the Second Boer War. While largely symbolic,... Continue →

23
May

1977 – Formation of Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) and ZIPRA United Front

On May 23, 1977, the Zimbabwe African People\'s Union (ZAPU) formalized its military alliance with the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army... Continue →

23
May

1832 – Jamaican Anti-Slavery Petition Reaches British Parliament

On May 23, 1832, a petition signed by thousands of Jamaicans calling for the abolition of slavery was formally read in the British Parliament. As... Continue →

23
May

1963 - Kwame Nkrumah’s Vision Endorsed: African Unity Takes a Step Forward

On May 23, 1963, Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, played a pivotal yet often overlooked role in shaping the future of African unity during... Continue →

24
May

1993 - Eritrea Gains Independence from Ethiopia

After a brutal 30-year struggle, Eritrea officially declared independence from Ethiopia on May 24, 1993. The conflict, which began in 1961, was one... Continue →

24
May

1944 - Birth of Patti LaBelle

Patricia Louise Holte is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She will rise to international fame under the name Patti LaBelle, becoming one of the... Continue →

24
May

1975 – African Liberation Day Rallies Held Nationwide

On May 24, 1975, African Liberation Day was marked with mass rallies across the United States in solidarity with anti-colonial movements on the... Continue →

24
May

1822 — Haitian Revolution Leader General Jean-Baptiste Riché Born

Jean-Baptiste Riché, a pivotal figure in Haitian military and political history, was born on May 24, 1822. Rising through the military ranks after... Continue →

24
May

1963 — Africa Day Established by OAU Formation

On May 24, 1963, leaders from 32 African nations came together in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU)—the... Continue →

24
May

1969 — Shirley Chisholm Visits Africa as U.S. Congresswoman

On May 24, 1969, Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, concluded her historic goodwill visit to several African... Continue →

24
May

1941 — Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie Begins Return from Exile

On May 24, 1941, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie returned triumphantly to Addis Ababa after five years of exile during Italy’s occupation of... Continue →

24
May

1960 — Patrice Lumumba’s Address to Ghana Parliament

On May 24, 1960, Patrice Lumumba, soon to be the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, delivered a stirring address to Ghana’s... Continue →

25
May

1986 - Race Against Time: A Global Run for Africa

On May 25, 1986, approximately 30 million people across 76 countries participated in pop singer Bob Geldof's "Race Against Time." This global relay... Continue →

25
May

1949 – Birth of Novelist Jamaica Kincaid

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... Continue →

25
May

1963 – The Birth of the African Union (AU)

On May 25, 1963, leaders from 32 African nations met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and established the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the precursor... Continue →

25
May

1948 – South Africa Legalizes Apartheid

On May 25, 1948, South Africa’s National Party officially introduced apartheid, a system of legalized racial segregation that would dominate the... Continue →

25
May

1969 – Sudan’s Revolutionary Coup Brings Gaafar Nimeiry to Power

On May 25, 1969, a military coup in Sudan led by Colonel Gaafar Nimeiry overthrew the civilian government, marking a turning point in Sudanese... Continue →

25
May

2010 – First African-Born President of the ICC Takes Office

While Sang-Hyun Song of South Korea took office as President of the International Criminal Court on May 25, 2010, he succeeded Navanethem Pillay of... Continue →

25
May

2000 – African Renaissance Monument Announced in Senegal

On May 25, 2000—Africa Day—the government of Senegal announced plans for the African Renaissance Monument, a 160-foot statue to be built in Dakar... Continue →

25
May

1972 – Guyana Nationalizes Its Bauxite Industry

On May 25, 1972, Guyana, under Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, nationalized its bauxite industry—one of the nation’s most valuable natural... Continue →

25
May

2008 – Africa Celebrates the Launch of African Science and Technology Day

On May 25, 2008, the African Union launched Africa Science and Technology Day, aligning it with Africa Day to promote innovation, research, and STEM... Continue →

25
May

2015 – African Development Bank Elects Akinwumi Adesina

On May 25, 2015, Nigerian economist Akinwumi Adesina was elected President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), marking a new chapter in... Continue →

25
May

1963 - The Organization of African Unity (OAU) Was Founded in Addis Ababa

On May 25, 1963, 32 African nations gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU), a pivotal moment in Black... Continue →

26
May

1943 - First African President Visits White House

On May 26, 1943, President Edwin Barclay of Liberia became the first African head of state to pay an official visit to a U.S. president at the White... Continue →

26
May

1799 – Birth of Alexander Pushkin, Father of Russian Literature

Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin was born in Moscow on May 26, 1799. Of African descent through his great-grandfather Abram Petrovich Gannibal—an... Continue →

26
May

1956 – Althea Gibson Becomes First African American to Win a Grand Slam Title

On May 26, 1956, Althea Gibson made history by winning the French Open, becoming the first African American to clinch a Grand Slam tennis title. Her... Continue →

26
May

1966 — Guyana Gains Independence from Britain

On May 26, 1966, Guyana achieved independence from British colonial rule, becoming a sovereign nation. This significant milestone marked the end of... Continue →

26
May

1983 — Jamaica Declares Bob Marley's Birthday a National Holiday

On May 26, 1983, the Jamaican government officially declared February 6, Bob Marley\'s birthday, a national holiday to honor the legendary... Continue →

26
May

1943 – Liberian President Edwin Barclay Stays at the White House

On this day, Liberian President Edwin Barclay became the first Black leader to stay overnight at the White House, hosted by President Franklin D.... Continue →

27
May

1967 - Aborigines Counted in Australian Census for the First Time

In a landmark referendum, over 90% of white Australians voted in favor of two constitutional amendments—one of which allowed Aboriginal Australians... Continue →

27
May

1977 - Louis Gossett Jr. Wins Best Supporting Actor at Cannes

On May 27, 1977, Louis Gossett Jr. received the Best Supporting Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in the acclaimed film Sadat.... Continue →

27
May

1986 - South Africa Holds National Day of Mourning for Apartheid Victims

On May 27, 1986, South Africa’s anti-apartheid groups organized a National Day of Mourning to honor the victims of state violence and protest... Continue →

27
May

1961 - The Republic of Sierra Leone Declares Itself a Republic

On May 27, 1961, Sierra Leone officially declared itself a republic, just over a month after gaining independence from British colonial rule. The... Continue →

27
May

1963 - African Liberation Day Commemorated Worldwide

African Liberation Day, though officially commemorated on May 25, is often observed on adjacent days like May 27 through marches, conferences, and... Continue →

28
May

1981 – Amnesty International Campaigns Against Apartheid Executions

On May 28, 1981, Amnesty International launched a major campaign protesting the death sentences of three anti-apartheid activists in South Africa.... Continue →

28
May

1948 – Ralph Bunche Begins Mediation in the Arab-Israeli Conflict

On May 28, 1948, African American diplomat Ralph Bunche began his role as chief mediator for the United Nations in the newly erupted Arab-Israeli... Continue →

28
May

1963 – Woolworth Sit-In Sparks Global Civil Rights Solidarity

On May 28, 1963, four young African American students—Annie Moody, Memphis Norman, Pearlena Lewis, and William Buttons—staged a sit-in at a... Continue →

28
May

1961 – Amnesty International Founded in Response to Colonial Injustice

On May 28, 1961, Amnesty International was founded by British lawyer Peter Benenson. Although not exclusively a Black history milestone, the... Continue →

28
May

1987 – West African Writers Celebrate Chinua Achebe in Ghana

On May 28, 1987, a landmark literary symposium was held in Accra, Ghana, honoring Chinua Achebe’s impact on postcolonial African literature.... Continue →

28
May

1999 – Nigeria Swears In Olusegun Obasanjo as Civilian President

On May 28, 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn in as Nigeria’s first democratically elected president after decades of military rule. His... Continue →

28
May

2010 – South African Youth Launch “Born-Free” Cultural Platform

On May 28, 2010, a group of post-apartheid South African youth launched “The Born-Free Collective,” a digital cultural platform dedicated to... Continue →

28
May

1977 – Djibouti Gains Full Independence from France

While Djibouti officially celebrates Independence Day on June 27, May 28, 1977, marked the decisive electoral referendum where over 98% of voters... Continue →

28
May

1956 – Sudanese Women Lead Anti-Colonial March in Khartoum

On May 28, 1956, thousands of Sudanese women took to the streets of Khartoum demanding full rights in the newly independent Sudan. Just months after... Continue →

28
May

1934 – Ethiopian Emissaries Address League of Nations

On May 28, 1934, Ethiopian diplomats addressed the League of Nations warning of Italy’s growing militarization on its border—a plea ignored by... Continue →

28
May

1983 – Caribbean Artists Movement Reunites in London

On May 28, 1983, the Caribbean Artists Movement (CAM) held a special reunion event in London, bringing together figures like Kamau Brathwaite, Andrew... Continue →

28
May

2005 – Patrice Lumumba Honored by Pan-African Union in Mali

On May 28, 2005, African scholars and leaders gathered in Bamako, Mali, for a major Pan-African conference honoring the legacy of Congolese... Continue →

28
May

1830 - Birth of Alexandre Dumas fils – Literary Legacy Beyond the Musketeers

On May 28, 1830, Alexandre Dumas fils, the son of celebrated novelist Alexandre Dumas père and a Black Haitian-descended mother, was born in Paris,... Continue →

29
May

1990 – Nelson Mandela Addresses Canadian Parliament

On May 29, 1990, just months after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela delivered a stirring speech to the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa. This was... Continue →

29
May

2005 – African Union Peacekeepers Deployed to Sudan

On May 29, 2005, the African Union expanded its peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan, responding to escalating violence against civilians amid a... Continue →

29
May

1994 – South Africa Swears in First Multiracial Cabinet

On May 29, 1994, Nelson Mandela’s newly elected government officially swore in South Africa’s first multiracial cabinet, ending centuries of... Continue →

29
May

2009 – Jamaica Elects Portia Simpson-Miller as Opposition Leader Again

On May 29, 2009, Portia Simpson-Miller was re-elected as the president of Jamaica\'s People’s National Party (PNP), solidifying her position as the... Continue →

29
May

1973 – Thomas Sankara Joins the Upper Volta Military

On May 29, 1973, a young Thomas Sankara joined the Upper Volta military (now Burkina Faso), beginning a journey that would transform him into one of... Continue →

29
May

1920 – Birth of Martin Delany's Grandson, Hubert Delany

On May 29, 1920, Hubert Thomas Delany—civil rights attorney, judge, and grandson of abolitionist Martin Delany—was born in Raleigh, North... Continue →

29
May

1970 – Launch of Black World Journal’s “Pan-African Issue”

On May 29, 1970, Black World (formerly Negro Digest) released its special “Pan-African Issue,” featuring essays and poetry from across the... Continue →

29
May

1933 – Zulu King Solomon kaDinuzulu Dies

On May 29, 1933, King Solomon kaDinuzulu of the Zulu nation passed away, leaving a contested legacy as a monarch under colonial rule. Born in 1891... Continue →

29
May

1987 – West African Students Lead Protest in Paris

On May 29, 1987, West African students organized a major protest in Paris against the French government\'s restrictive immigration and education... Continue →

29
May

1948 – Birth of Jamaican Poet Mutabaruka

Jamaican poet, musician, and cultural critic Mutabaruka was born on May 29, 1948. Renowned for his fiery spoken word and Rastafarian philosophy,... Continue →

29
May

1979 - Rhodesia Renamed Zimbabwe-Rhodesia in Bid for Black Majority Rule

On May 29, 1979, the country of Rhodesia officially became Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, marking a symbolic transition from white-minority rule toward Black... Continue →

30
May

1967 – Biafran Secession Sparks Nigerian Civil War

On May 30, 1967, Lt. Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the southeastern region of Nigeria an independent republic—Biafra. This bold move was in... Continue →

30
May

1980 – Zimbabwe Gains Commonwealth Recognition

On May 30, 1980, Zimbabwe was officially admitted into the Commonwealth of Nations following its independence from white minority rule just weeks... Continue →

30
May

1965 – Mobutu Sese Seko Rises in Congo

On May 30, 1965, Mobutu Sese Seko solidified control over the Congo by dissolving the government of President Joseph Kasavubu, leading to his formal... Continue →

30
May

1974 – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Established

On May 30, 1974, CARICOM was officially established as a successor to the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), ushering in a new era of... Continue →

30
May

1956 – Sudanese Women Protest for Independence

On May 30, 1956, women in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, organized one of the earliest mass demonstrations calling for full independence and gender... Continue →

30
May

1936 – First Pan-African Congress in London Memorialized

On May 30, 1936, Black intellectuals in London held a memorial event honoring the 1900 Pan-African Conference organized by Henry Sylvester Williams.... Continue →

30
May

1958 – Birth of Jamaican Activist Mutabaruka

On May 30, 1958, Mutabaruka—Jamaican dub poet, activist, and Rastafarian philosopher—was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Renowned for his fusion of... Continue →

30
May

1981 – Black Consciousness Movement Repression in South Africa

On May 30, 1981, South African apartheid authorities conducted a violent crackdown on youth affiliated with the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM), a... Continue →

30
May

1963 - Pan-African Cultural Festival Proposed by Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor

On May 30, 1963, Senegalese President and poet-philosopher Léopold Sédar Senghor formally proposed the creation of the first Pan-African Cultural... Continue →

31
May

1955 - Supreme Court ordered school integration.

On May 31, 1955, The Supreme Court ruled in what became known as "Brown II,” that the task of carrying out school desegregation was delegated to... Continue →

31
May

1979 - Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Declares Independence (Unrecognized)

On May 31, 1979, Rhodesia was reconstituted as Zimbabwe-Rhodesia under the Internal Settlement agreement, marking the first time a Black prime... Continue →

31
May

1961: South Africa Faces International Sanctions Over Apartheid

On May 31, 1961, the Republic of South Africa officially left the British Commonwealth after facing mounting pressure over its apartheid policies.... Continue →

31
May

1963: West Indies Federation Formally Dissolves

On May 31, 1963, the final dissolution of the West Indies Federation was confirmed, ending a short-lived political union of Caribbean territories... Continue →

31
May

1809: Olaudah Equiano’s Memoir Gains Renewed Attention Posthumously

Olaudah Equiano, a former enslaved African who became a prominent abolitionist and author, died in 1797, but on May 31, 1809, his memoir The... Continue →

31
May

1902: Boer War Ends, Reinforcing White Supremacy in South Africa

The Treaty of Vereeniging, signed on May 31, 1902, ended the Second Boer War between the British Empire and Afrikaner republics in South Africa.... Continue →

31
May

1948: Apartheid Begins with National Party Victory in South Africa

On May 31, 1948, the National Party officially took control of the South African government, marking the beginning of apartheid—a brutal system of... Continue →

1
Jun

1994 - South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth

South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth after an absence of 33 years.

1
Jun

1843 - Sojourner Truth begins career as antislavery activist on this date.

Sojourner Truth leaves New York and begins career as an antislavery activist.

1
Jun

1835 - The 5th National Negro Convention takes on the word negro

The 5th National Negro Convention meets in Philadelphia and urged African Americans to abandon the use of terms "African" and "colored" when... Continue →

2
Jun

1975 - James A. Healy, becomes first African American Roman Catholic Bishop on this date.

James A. Healy, first African American Roman Catholic Bishop, consecrated in the cathedral at Portland, Maine.

2
Jun

1951 - Kenneth Irvine Chenault, an African American business executive born on this date.

Kenneth Irvine Chenault  is an American business executive. Chenault has been the CEO and Chairman of American Express since 2001and is the third... Continue →

3
Jun

1949 - Wesley A. Brown becomes first African American graduate of Annapolis Naval Academy.

Wesley A. Brown becomes first African American graduate of Annapolis Naval Academy.

4
Jun

1991 - Baltimore Orioles Manager Frank Robinson names Assistant General Manager on this date

Baltimore Orioles Manager Frank Robinson names Assistant General Manager on this date.  Robinson was the third African American to become an... Continue →

5
Jun

1973 - Doris A. Davis becomes the first African-American woman mayor of a metropolitan city in the United States.

Doris A. Davis, of Compton California,  becomes the first African-American woman mayor of a metropolitan city in the United States.

5
Jun

1956 - Montgomery buses segregated on this date.

Federal Court Rules that racial segregation on Montgomery City buses violated Constitution.

6
Jun

1987 - Mae C. Jemison chosen to be an astronaut on thuis date.

Mae C. Jemison, M. D. was chosen by NASA to begin training as a space shuttle astronaut on this date.

7
Jun

1930 - New York Times adopted the captilized spelling of the term Negro

Respecting Negro demand, the New York Times announces that the "N" in the word "Negro" and "Negress" would be capitalized in its pages. The New York... Continue →

8
Jun

1982 - Satchel Paige, passes away on this date.

Legendary Pitcher Satchel Paige dies in Kansas City, Missouri. Satchel was an American Negro league baseball and Major League Baseball pitcher who... Continue →

9
Jun

1948 - Oliver W. Hill elected to Richmond City Council on this date.

Oliver W. Hill elected to Richmond, Virginia, City Council becoming the first African American to do so since Reconstruction.

10
Jun

1946 - Boxer Jack Johnson dies on this date.

Heavy Weight Boxer Jack Johnson dies on this date.

10
Jun

1898 - Oscar Award Winning Actress Hattie McDanial born on this date.

Oscar Award Winning Actress Hattie McDanial born on this date.

10
Jun

1760 - AME founder Richard Allen was born on this date.

African Methodist Episcopal Church founder Richard Allen was born on this date. Allen was born a slave near Philadelphia.

10
Jun

1854 - James Augustine Healy ordains a priest

On this day in 1854, James Augustine Healy, first Black American Roman Catholic bishop, ordained a priest in Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris.

11
Jun

1964 - Nelson Mandela sentnced to Life imprisonment on this date.

Nelson Mandela was sentenced to Life imprisonment for allegedly attempting to sabotage the White South African government.

11
Jun

1930 - U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel born on this date.

United States Congressman Charles Rangel born on this date

12
Jun

1972 - The National Black MBA Assciation is incorporated.

The National Black MBA Assciation is incorporated.

12
Jun

1963 - Medgar W. Evers assissinated.

Medgar W. Evers , NAACP field secretary in Mississippi, assassinated in front of his Jackson home by a segregationist.

12
Jun

1840 - The World's Anti-Slavery Convention

On this day in 1840, the World's Anti-Slavery Convention convenes in London, England.

13
Jun

1967 - Thurgood Marshall become First African American Supreme Court Justice.

Thurgood Marshall, United States Solicitor General, name to the Supreme Court by President Johnson.  Marshall was confirmed by the Senate on August... Continue →

14
Jun

1989 - Congressman William Gray elected Democratic Whip

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

14
Jun

1970 - Cheryl Adrienne Brown wins Miss Iowa pageant.

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

15
Jun

1897 - R. A. Butler patents train alarm.

R. A. Butler patents train alarm, patent #157,370.

15
Jun

1877 - Henry O. Flipper graduates West Point.

Henry O. Flipper receives degree at West Point and becomes the first African American graduate.

16
Jun

2002 - Tiger Woods wins U. S. Open Gold Tournament.

Tiger Woods wins U. S. Open Gold Tournament.

16
Jun

1969 - Clayton Powell Jr. suspension deemed unconstitutional.

United States Supreme Court rules that the suspension of Clayton Powel Jr. from the House of Representatives was unconstitutional.

16
Jun

1976 - Hector Petersen, a 13 year old Soweto schoolboy is the first to die

ON this day in 1976, Hector Petersen, a 13 year old Soweto schoolboy is the first to die in what will become the "Children's Crusade", the first... Continue →

17
Jun

1957 - Tuskegee Boycott began

Tuskegee Boycott began.  African American's boycotted city stores in protest against act of state legislature that deprived them of municipal votes... Continue →

18
Jun

1968 - Housing Discrimination banned.

Supreme Court banned racial discrimination in sale and rental of housing.

18
Jun

1899 - W. H. Richardson patents baby buggy.

W. H. Richardson patents baby buggy.

18
Jun

1862 - Slavery Abolished in United States territories.

Slavery Abolished in United States territories in congress.

18
Jun

1953 - Egypt becomes republic

ON this date in 1953, Egypt becomes a republic after the forced abdication of King Farouk I.

19
Jun

1953 - Albert W. Dent elected President of National Health Council.

Albert W. dent, president of Dillard University, elected president of National Health Council.

20
Jun

1967 - Muhammad Ali convicted for violating Selective Service Act.

Muhammad Ali convicted in Houston, Texas in federal court for violating Selective Service Act by refusing induction into the armed services. Ali was... Continue →

20
Jun

1943 - National Congress of Racial Equality organized.

National Congress of Racial Equality organized

20
Jun

1915 -U.S. Supreme Court said"Grandfather Clause" violated the 15th Amendment.

United States Supreme Court (Guinn v United States) said "Grandfather Clause" in the Oklahoma and Maryland constitutions violated the 15th Amendment.

21
Jun

1923 - Marcus Garvey sentnced to five years in prison.

Marcus Garvey sentenced to five years in prison after his conviction on charges of using the mail to defraud.

22
Jun

1970 - Richard Nixon signed bill extending Voting Rights

Richard Nixon signed bill extending Voting Rights Act of 1965 to 1975.

22
Jun

1937 - Joe Louis defeats Braddock

Joe Louis defeated James J. Barddock for heavyweight boxing championship.

22
Jun

1949 - Ezzard Charles defeats Jersey Joe Walcott

Ezzard Charles defeats Jersey Joe Walcott for the world heavy weight championship.

22
Jun

1940 - Three time Olympian Wilma Rudolph was born on this date.

Wilma Glodean Rudolph, the first African American women to with three gold medals, was born on this dated in Clarksville, Tennessee.

23
Jun

2003 - Maynard Jackson, three term mayor of Atlanta, dies.

Maynard Jackson, three term mayor of Atlanta, dies at the age of 65.

24
Jun

1936 - Mary Mcleod Bethune named Director of Negro Affairs.

Mary Mcleod Bethune , founder-president of Bethune-Cookman College, named Director of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration.  Mary was... Continue →

24
Jun

1884 - John R. lynch elected temporary chairman of Republican convention.

John R. Lynch, former congressman from Mississippi, elected temporary chairmen of Republican convention and becomes the first African American to... Continue →

25
Jun

1968 - Lincoln Alexander become member of Canadian Parliament.

On June 25, 1968, Lincoln Alexander was elected as the Member of Parliament for Hamilton West, making history as the first Black Canadian to serve in... Continue →

25
Jun

1935 - Joe Louis defeats Primo Carnera

Joe Louis defeats Primo Carnera at Yankee Stadium.

25
Jun

1876 - Isaiah Dorman dies at battle to Little Bighorn.

Isaiah Dorman dies at battle to Little Bighorn under the leadership of Colonel George Custer.

26
Jun

1959 - Prince Edward County abandons school system

Prince Edward County, Virginia, Board of Supervisors abandoned school system to prevent integration.

26
Jun

1938 - James Weldon Johnson dies in automobile accident.

James Weldon Johnson  dies of injuries received in an automobile accident near his summer home in Wiscosset, Maine.

26
Jun

1934 - W. E. B. DuBois resigns from NAACP.

W. E. B. DuBois resigns from his position at the NAACP in a disagreement over policy and racial strategy.

27
Jun

1939 - Frederick Jones invents the ticket dispensing machine.

Frederick Jones invents the ticket dispensing machine, patent #2163754.

28
Jun

1991 - Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall anounces retirement.

United States Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall announces his retirement.

28
Jun

1874 - Freeman's Bank Closed

Freedman's Bank closed.  African American depositors had some $3 million in the bank.  The Freedman's Bank had an imposing headquarters in... Continue →

29
Jun

1972 - NAACP Annual Report

The NAACP annual report said the unemployment of "urban blacks in 1971 was worse than at anytime since the great depression of the thirties." The... Continue →

29
Jun

1968 - Louisiana legislature met in New Orleans

Louisiana legislature met in New Orleans.  The temporary chairman of the house was  African American Representative, R. H. Isabelle.  Oscar J.... Continue →

30
Jun

1967 - Major Robert H. Lawrence Jr. named First African American astronaut.

Major Robert H. Lawrence Jr. named First African American astronaut.  Major Lawrence was killed during a training flight on December 8, 1967.

30
Jun

1917 - Actress -Singer Lena Horne was born on this date.

Actress -Singer Lena Horne was born in Brooklyn, New York.

1
Jul

1960 - Somali proclaimed independent

On this date in 1960, Somalia officially gained independence and was formed as a sovereign nation. This date marks the unification of British... Continue →

1
Jul

1863 - The Dutch West Indies abolishes slavery.

On this date in 1863, the Kingdom of the Netherlands officially abolished slavery in its colonies, including Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean islands... Continue →

3
Jul

1983 - Calvin Smith, fastest man alive

On this date in 1983, Calvin Smith of the United States became the fastest man alive, setting a new 100m world record with a time of 9.93 seconds... Continue →

4
Jul

1999 - Caribbean Integration

On this date in 1999, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) celebrated Caribbean Integration with a focus on strengthening regional cooperation and... Continue →

6
Jul

1964 - Malawi proclaimed independent

On this date in 1964, Malawi officially proclaimed its independence from British colonial rule. The country, which was previously known as the... Continue →

8
Jul

1805 - First Prizefighter Bill Richmond born

On this date in 1805, Bill Richmond, the son of formerly enslaved parents, made history as the first African American to gain recognition as a... Continue →

9
Jul

1927 - Atty. William T. Francis named minister to Liberia.

On this date in 1927, Attorney William T. Francis was appointed U.S. Minister to Liberia by President Calvin Coolidge. This was a significant... Continue →

14
Jul

1914 - Marcus Garvey arrived in Jamaica

On this date in 1914, Marcus Garvey’s return to Jamaica marked the beginning of a transformative period for both him and the global Black... Continue →

18
Jul

1918 - Nelson Mandela born

On this date in 1918, Nelson Mandela was born, in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. He would go on to become one of... Continue →

19
Jul

1925 - Entertainer and singer, Josephine Baker, makes her Paris debut

On July 19, 1925, the legendary entertainer Josephine Baker made her Paris debut at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in the revue La Revue Nègre.... Continue →

22
Jul

1848 - Minister to Liberia

On July 22, 1848, Lester Walton was appointed as the U.S. Minister to Liberia on July 22, 1848. His appointment came during the presidency of James... Continue →

23
Jul

1900 - Pan-African Congress met in London

The Pan-African Congress held its first major meeting in London on July 23, 1900. It was a significant event in the early history of the Pan-African... Continue →

26
Jul

1997 - Independence Day for the Republic of Liberia

July 26, 1847, marks the day Liberia declared its independence, becoming the first independent republic in Africa. The country had been founded by... Continue →

26
Jul

1847 - President Joseph Jenkins Roberts declared Liberia an independent republic.

On July 26, 1847, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, the first native-born President of Liberia, declared the country an independent republic. Liberia, founded... Continue →

27
Jul

1847 - FIRST REPUBLIC SET UP BY FREED SLAVES

On July 26, 1847, freed African American slaves in Liberia declared their independence from the American Colonization Society and established... Continue →

30
Jul

1839 - Slave rebellion led by Joseph Cinqué

The Amistad mutiny is a famous and significant event in American history. On July 30, 1839, a group of enslaved Africans aboard the Spanish slave... Continue →

1
Aug

1960 - Dahomey proclaimed independent

on August 1, 1960, Dahomey (now known as Benin) officially gained its independence from France. This was part of a broader wave of independence... Continue →

1
Aug

1920 - National Convention of Marcus Garvey's Universal Improvement Association

On August 1, 1920, the National Convention of Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) was held in New York City. This event... Continue →

1
Aug

1838 - Emancipation Day

August 1, 1838, marks a significant moment in history—the official abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean. This day, known as Emancipation... Continue →

1
Aug

1834 - Slavery was outlawed in the British Empire

On August 1, 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act came into effect, officially ending slavery throughout the British Empire. This legislation was... Continue →

3
Aug

1781 - African American Captures British General

On August 3, 1781, during the American Revolutionary War, African American soldier James Armistead Lafayette played a pivotal role in... Continue →

5
Aug

1962 - Nelson Mandela arrested

On August 5, 1962, Nelson Mandela was arrested by the South African authorities. He had been on the run for over a year, during which he was actively... Continue →

6
Aug

1989 - Congressman George Thomas "Mickey" Leland dies

On August 6, 1989, Congressman George Thomas "Mickey" Leland tragically died in a plane crash in Ethiopia. He was aboard a cargo plane that crashed... Continue →

6
Aug

1967: Sir Alexander Bustamante, Jamaica's first prime minister dies.

Sir Alexander Bustamante, Jamaica's first prime minister, passed away on August 6, 1967. He was a key figure in Jamaica's struggle for independence... Continue →

6
Aug

1962 - Jamiaca's Independence

On August 6, 1962, Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom. This day marked a significant turning point in the country's history, as... Continue →

7
Aug

1904 - First Black winner of Nobel Peace Prize was Ralph J Bunche born

Ralph J. Bunche was an influential diplomat, political scientist, and civil rights advocate. Born on August 7, 1904, in Detroit, Michigan, he played... Continue →

9
Aug

1936 - Jesse Owens wins four gold medals in the Berlin Olympics

On August 8, 1936, Jesse Owens made history at the Berlin Olympics by winning four gold medals in track and field. This remarkable achievement... Continue →

12
Aug

1977 - leader of the Black Consciousness Movement In South Africa Stephen Biko was arrested

On August 12, 1977, Stephen Biko, the leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa, was arrested at a police roadblock under the... Continue →

15
Aug

1824 - Freed American slaves established Liberia

On August 15, 1824, the first group of freed American slaves, known as the "American Colonization Society" (ACS), established Liberia as a colony.... Continue →

16
Aug

1890 - Alexander Clark, named minister to Liberia

On August 16, 1890, Alexander Clark was named the U.S. Minister to Liberia. This appointment marked a significant moment in history, as Clark became... Continue →

17
Aug

1984 - Second Baseball Player to be Featured on a Stamp

On August 17, 1984, Roberto Clemente became the second baseball player to be featured on a U.S. postage stamp. The stamp was part of the U.S. Postal... Continue →

18
Aug

1935 - Rafer Johnson, is born

Rafer Johnson, the American decathlete, was born on August 18, 1935, in Hillsboro, Texas. He is best known for his remarkable career in track and... Continue →

18
Aug

1964 - South Africa banned from Olympic Games

On August 18, 1964, South Africa was officially banned from the Olympic Games. This decision came after the International Olympic Committee (IOC)... Continue →

18
Aug

1934 - Roberto Clemente, Baseball legend born

Roberto Clemente, one of baseball's most legendary players, was indeed born on August 18, 1934, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. He became an iconic figure... Continue →

22
Aug

1978 - Death of Jomo Kenyatta

Jomo Kenyatta, the first President of Kenya, passed away on August 22, 1978, at the age of 83. He played a pivotal role in the country's struggle for... Continue →

22
Aug

1791 - Haitian Revolution began with revolt of slaves in northern province.

The Haitian Revolution began on August 22, 1791, when enslaved people in the northern part of the colony of Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti)... Continue →

27
Aug

1975 - Death of Emperor Haile Selassie

Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia passed away on August 27, 1975, under mysterious circumstances, though many regard his reign as one of significant... Continue →

28
Aug

1921 - Second Pan-African Congress met in London

The Second Pan-African Congress met in London from August 28 to September 1, 1921. It was an important event in the Pan-African movement, bringing... Continue →

31
Aug

1962 - Trinidad-Tobago proclaimed independent

On August 31, 1962, Trinidad and Tobago became an independent nation, separating from British colonial rule. This marked a significant moment in the... Continue →

3
Sep

1970 - Representatives from 27 African nations meet for the first Congress of African People.

On September 3, 1970, representatives from 27 African nations gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the first Congress of African People (CAP).... Continue →

3
Sep

1891 - John Stephens Durham names minister of Haiti

On September 3, 1891, John Stephens Durham was appointed as the minister to Haiti. He served as a U.S. diplomat during the presidency of Benjamin... Continue →

5
Sep

1960 - Leopold Sedar Senghor elected President of Senegal.

Leopold Sedar Senghor, a prominent poet and politician, was elected as the first President of Senegal on September 5, 1960. He played a key role in... Continue →

6
Sep

1968 - Independence Day - The Kingdom of Swaziland

On this date in 1968, the Kingdom of Swaziland was founded.

7
Sep

1957 - Ghana breaks colonial mold.

On this day in 1957, Ghana becomes a free self-governing nation. This country will be the first of the British Commonwealth of Nations to be... Continue →

10
Sep

1961 - Jomo Kenyatta returns to Kenya from exile to lead his country

On this date in 1961, Jomo Kenyatta returns to Kenya from exile to lead his country.

10
Sep

1930 - Charles E. Mitchell named minister to Liberia

on this date in 1930, Charles E. Mitchell, certified public accountant and banker from West Virginia, named minister to Liberia.

10
Sep

1913 - George W. Buckner named minister to Liberia

On this date in 1913, George W. Buckner, a physician from Indiana, named minister to Liberia.

10
Sep

1974 - Haile Selassie I is deposed from the Ethiopian throne.

On this date in 1974, Haile Selassie I is deposed from the Ethiopian throne.

11
Sep

1885 - Moses A. Hopkins named minister of Liberia

On September 11, 1885, Moses A. Hopkins was appointed as the U.S. Minister to Liberia by President Grover Cleveland. Hopkins was an African American... Continue →

11
Sep

1974 - Haile Selassie I is deposed from the Ethiopian throne.

On September 11, 1974, Haile Selassie I, the last Emperor of Ethiopia, was deposed after a military coup led by the Derg, a Marxist-Leninist... Continue →

12
Sep

1992 - Dr. Mae Jemison becomes First African-American woman in space.

Dr. Mae Jemison became the first African-American woman in space when she launched from the Kennedy Center to join Spacelab J, a joint U.S.-Japanese... Continue →

12
Sep

1913 - Gold Medalist James Cleveland Owens was born

On this date in 1913, James Cleveland Owens, better known as Jesse Owens, winner of four gold medals at the Summer Olympic Games in Berlin, was born

18
Sep

1980 - Cosmonaut Arnold Tamayo, becomes the first black sent on a mission in space

On this date in 1980, Cosmonaut Arnold Tamayo, a Cuban, becomes the first black sent on a mission in space. Arnold Tamayo, along with Soviet... Continue →

18
Sep

1970 - Jimi Hendrix dies

On this date in 1970, Rocker Jimi Hendrix dies at 27.

18
Sep

1948 - Ralph J. Bunche confirmed as acting UN mediator in Palestine

On this dated in 1948, Ralph J. Bunche confirmed by United Nations Security Council as acting UN mediator in Palestine.

22
Sep

1960 - Mali proclaimed independent

On this date in 1960, Mali proclaimed independent.

27
Sep

1877 - John Mercer Langston named Minister of Haiti

On this date in 1877, John Mercer Langston named minister of Haiti.

1
Oct

1977 - Soccer great Pele retires

On this date in 1977, Soccer great Pele retires.

1
Oct

1960 - Nigeria proclaimed independent

On this date in 1960, Nigeria proclaimed independent.

2
Oct

1986 - The U.S. Senate overrides President Ronald Reagan's veto

ON this date in 1986, the U.S. Senate overrides President Ronald Reagan's veto of legislation imposing economic sanctions in South Africa.

2
Oct

1986 - Edward J. Perkins appointed Ambassador to South Africa

On this date in 1986, President Ronald Reagan appointed Edward J. Perkins ambassador to South Africa.

3
Oct

1935 - Ethiopia Invaded by Italy

On this date in 1935, Ethiopia, one of the only two independent African nations at the time, was invaded by Facist Italy under Benito Mussolini. The... Continue →

4
Oct

1966 - Independence Day - Kingdom of Lesotho

ON this date in 1966, The Kingdom of Lesotho declared its independence

7
Oct

1931 - Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu born.

ON this date in 1931, Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu born.

16
Oct

1968 - John Carlos and Tommie Smith staged Black Power demonstration.

ON this date in 1968, John Carlos and Tommie Smith staged Black Power demonstration on victory stand after winning 200-meter event at Olympics in... Continue →

21
Oct

1865 - George William Gordon, is unfairly arrested and sentence to death.

On this date in 1865, Jamaican national hero, George William Gordon, is unfairly arrested and sentenced to death.

23
Oct

1940 - Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele) was born

ON this date in 1940, in Tres Coracoes, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, generally known as Pelé, is born.

24
Oct

1964 - Zambia proclaimed independent

On this date in 1964, Zambia proclaimed independent.

24
Oct

1935 - Italy invaded Ethiopia

On this date in 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia. American Blacks held mass meetings of protest and raised funds for the Ethiopian defenders.

26
Oct

1921 - Solomon Porter Hood named minister to Liberia

On this date in 1921, Solomon Porter Hood named minister to Liberia.

30
Oct

1974 - Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in Zaire

On this dated in 1974, Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman for heavyweight boxing title in Zaire.

1
Nov

1995 - South Africans voted in their first all-race local government elections.

On this date in 1995, South Africans voted in their first all-race local government elections, completing the destruction of the apartheid system.

2
Nov

1930 - Haile Selassie crowned as Emperor of Ethiopia

On this dated in 1930, upon the death of the Ethiopian Empress Zawditu, Haile Selassie was crowned emperor of Ethiopia.

2
Nov

1889 - Meneeik II crowned

On this date in 1889 Menelik II was crowned Negusa-Nagast (King of Kings) of Abysinnia, Ethiopia. By 1899 Abysinnia had extended as far as Kenya in... Continue →

3
Nov

1874 - James Theodore Holly elected bishop of Haiti.

On this date in 1874, James Theodore Holly, a Black American who emigrated to Haiti in 1861, elected bishop of Haiti. He was consecrated in a... Continue →

9
Nov

1956 - Mattiwilda Dobbs Makes History at the Metropolitan Opera

On this day, Mattiwilda Dobbs became the first African American to sing a romantic lead role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She starred... Continue →

10
Nov

1995: Nigerian author and poet Ken Saro-Wiwa is executed.

Ken Saro-Wiwa, a Nigerian author, environmentalist, and human rights activist, was executed by the Nigerian military regime along with eight other... Continue →

11
Nov

1975 - Angola Gains Independence from Portugal

After centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, Angola declared its independence on November 11, 1975. The independence movement was led by liberation... Continue →

12
Nov

1974 - South Africa Suspended from the United Nations General Assembly

On this day, South Africa was suspended from participating in the United Nations General Assembly due to its apartheid policies, which... Continue →

15
Nov

1884 – The Berlin Conference Begins: Colonization of Africa Formalized

On November 15, 1884, the Berlin Conference convened in Berlin, Germany, under the leadership of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Representatives... Continue →

18
Nov

1978 – The Jonestown Tragedy

Over 900 people, most of them African American, died in a mass murder-suicide at the People’s Temple Agricultural Project (commonly known as... Continue →

20
Nov

1976 – Olympic Gymnast Dominique Dawes Born

Dominique Dawes, three-time Olympian and trailblazing gymnast, is born in Silver Spring, Maryland. Nicknamed "Awesome Dawesome," she would go on to... Continue →

21
Nov

1984 – U.S. Anti-Apartheid Activists Arrested at South African Embassy

Randall Robinson (founder of TransAfrica), Walter Fauntroy (congressional delegate), and Mary Frances Berry (U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner) were... Continue →

23
Nov

1905 – Dr. Henry Watson Furniss Appointed U.S. Minister to Haiti

On this day, Henry Watson Furniss, a respected African American physician from Indiana, was appointed U.S. Minister to Haiti, becoming one of the... Continue →

25
Nov

1841 – Thirty-Five Amistad Survivors Return to Africa

After a landmark legal battle in the United States, 35 survivors of the Amistad revolt departed from New York aboard the ship Gentleman to return to... Continue →

27
Nov

1841 – Amistad Survivors Set Sail for Africa

After a landmark legal battle in the United States, the formerly enslaved Africans who had taken control of the Spanish schooner La Amistad set sail... Continue →

1
Dec

1774 – Continental Congress Implements Non-Importation Agreement

On this date, the First Continental Congress enacted the Continental Association, a trade boycott against Great Britain in response to the Coercive... Continue →

5
Dec

1832 – Birth of Sarah Allen Gorham, Pioneer Missionary

Sarah Gorham, born on December 5, 1832, became the first woman appointed by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church as a missionary to a foreign... Continue →

6
Dec

1981 - Grace Ann Bumbry

Grace Bumbry, a renowned American opera singer, was celebrated for her exceptional talent and significant contributions to the world of classical... Continue →

7
Dec

1895 – Birth of Sir Milton Margai, First Prime Minister of Sierra Leone

Sir Milton Margai was born on this day in Gbangbatoke, Sierra Leone. A trained medical doctor and respected statesman, Margai became the first Prime... Continue →

9
Dec

1961 – Tanganyika Gains Independence

On this day, Tanganyika, a territory in East Africa, gained independence from British colonial rule. It became a sovereign nation with Julius Nyerere... Continue →

12
Dec

1963 – Kenya Proclaims Independence from Britain

On this day, Kenya officially gained independence from British colonial rule, ending decades of struggle. Jomo Kenyatta, a key leader in the... Continue →

13
Dec

1957 - Daniel A Chapman becomes Ghana's 1st ambassador to the US

On December 13, 1957, Daniel Ahmling Chapman Nyaho presented his credentials as Ghana's first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the... Continue →

13
Dec

1913 – Death of Menelik II, Emperor of Ethiopia

Menelik II, the visionary emperor who modernized Ethiopia and defended its sovereignty, died on this day in 1913. His reign (1889–1913) was marked... Continue →

15
Dec

1943 - Spinarn Metal: William H. Hastie

On December 15, 1943, the Spingarn Medal was presented to William H. Hastie in recognition of his distinguished career as a jurist and his unwavering... Continue →

17
Dec

1920 – South Africa Granted Mandate Over South West Africa

On this day, the League of Nations officially granted South Africa a Class C mandate to administer South West Africa (present-day Namibia) following... Continue →

17
Dec

1663 – Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba Transitions to the Ancestors

On this day, Queen Nzinga (also spelled Nzingha or Njinga), the legendary ruler of Ndongo and Matamba in present-day Angola, passed away. Known as... Continue →

21
Dec

1959 - Florence Griffith Joyner, track legend born

Florence Griffith Joyner, legendary American track and field athlete, was born in Los Angeles, California. Known as "Flo-Jo," she became iconic for... Continue →

26
Dec

1908 - Jack Johnson becomes the first Black heavyweight boxing champion

In Sydney, Australia, Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns to win the world heavyweight championship, becoming the first Black man to hold the title.... Continue →