Clara Stanton Jones, first African American president of the American Library Association, was born in 1913

On May 14, 1913, Clara Stanton Jones was born. Clara Stanton Jones was the first African American president of the American Library Association. She was also the first woman and the first African American director of the Detroit Public Library.

Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first black president in 1944

On May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first black president. Nelson Mandela is widely known for his role in ending years or racial apartheid in South Africa. Mandela served 27 years in prison for political causes, before becoming the first democratically elected president of South Africa. He served as president from 1994 to 1999.