1868 - Republican conservatives drafted a new constitution which concentrated political power in the hands of the governor a limits the impact of the Black vote. This was made possible by Conservatives, aided by military forces, who seize the convention hall and establish control over the reconstruction process in Florida.
1907- Grace Towns Hamilton, an African-American civil rights advocate, feminist, and politician was born. She became the first African-American woman to serve in the Georgia legislature (1966-1984). Described as “the quiet warrior,” she fought hard for better health facilities, improved education, help for the indigent, and rights for the disenfranchised. She brought the power to minority voters in the state of Georgia.
1909- “Chick” Webb , an African-American drummer and bandleader, was born. His dynamic drumming and easily recognized compositions arranged by Edgar Sampson earned him and his band an enthusiastic following. Stompin’ at the Savoy and Don’t Be That Way 1934 were signature selection of the times. Ella Fitzgerald, who would become the bands leading attraction, sang Webb’s hit recordings A-Tisket A-Tasket, 1938 and Undecided, 1939.
Chick Webb died on June 16, 1939, at the age of 30 from complications following an operation.
1927 - Mary Leontyne Violet Price, one of the world's greatest operatic talents, was born in Laurel, Mississippi. She amassed many operatic firsts, being the first African American to sing opera on network television and the first African American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Among other honors, she received the NAACP's Spingarn Medal, three Emmys, and Kennedy Center Honors.
1937 - Roberta Flack, legendary American singer, was born in Black Mountain (Asheville), North Carolina. She began her professional singing career in Washington, DC. She won Grammys for "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Where Is the Love," and "Killing Me Softly with His Song."
1942 - Mary Lovelace O'Neal is born in Jackson, Mississippi. Educated at Howard and Columbia universities, she became a professor of fine arts and head of the Art Department at University of California at Berkeley. Academia allowed her the freedom to become a painter and she exhibited her work in museums in the United States, Morocco, and Chile.
1943 - Eta Phi Beta, the national business and professional sorority, is incorporated in Detroit, Michigan. It has chapters throughout the United States and number among its members civil rights activist Daisy Bates and artist Margaret T. Burroughs.
1945 - The United States, Russia, Great Britain, and France approve a peace treaty with Italy, under which Italy renounces all rights and claims to Ethiopia and Eritrea.
1945 - The Chicago Defender reports that over a quarter of a million African Americans migrated to California during the years 1942 and 1943. As the percentage of African Americans in California increases from 1 1/2% to more than 10% of the total population, so does the practice of racial segregation.
1971 - Bill White becomes the first African American major league baseball announcer when he begins announcing for the New York Yankees.
1989 - Ronald H. Brown, who had served as Jesse Jackson's campaign manager, became chairman of the Democratic National Committee, the first African American to hold the position in either party.
1990 - South African President, Frederik Willem de Klerk announces that Nelson Mandela will be set free on February 11th after 27 years in prison.
1992 - Alex Haley, author of "Roots," and "Autobiography of Malcolm X," passed away while on a lecture tour in Seattle, Washington at the age of 70.
1992 - Mike Tyson is convicted in Indianapolis, Indiana of raping a contestant in the Miss Black America competition and sentenced to six years in an Indiana prison.
1998 - Dr. David Satcher is confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become Surgeon General.
2007-Obama announces bid for presidency in Springfield Illinois.
Sidenote: Happy 21st birthday to my younger brother MLD. Love you!
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