On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run breaking Babe Ruth’s long-standing home run record. Hank Aaron was a professional baseball player and civil rights advocate. Throughout his professional baseball career, Aaron faced a lot of adversity and racial discrimination, but that didn’t stop him from consistently making history and achieving greatness. In 1974, Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s long-standing home run record after hitting his 715th home run.
Author Archives: The Black Blog
Booker T. Washington became the first African American on a U.S. postage stamp in 1940
On April 7, 1940, Booker T. Washington became the first African American to be honored on a U.S. postage stamp. In 1940, Booker T. Washington was honored by the Post Office Department becoming the first African American to be on a U.S. postage stamp. The stamp was created to honor Booker T. Washington’s contributions to black history.
17-year-old Bobby Hutton was shot and killed by Oakland police in 1968
On April 6, 1968, 17-year-old Bobby Hutton was shot and killed by Oakland police. Bobby Hutton is thought to be the first recruit to the Black Panther Party. In 1968, Bobby Hutton was shot and killed during a violent shootout with police officers in Oakland.
Prominent leader and educator Booker T. Washington was born in 1856
On April 5, 1856, Booker T. Washington was born. Booker T. Washington was an influential leader and educator. Early in his life, Booker T. Washington gained higher education from Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, known today as Hampton University. Throughout his life, Washington worked to educate, uplift and empower black people. He founded several prestigious black institutions and organizations including Tuskegee University and the National Negro Business League.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at a Memphis motel in 1968
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated at a Memphis motel. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was standing on a balcony at a Memphis motel when he was fatally shot in 1968. King was 39 years old when he passed away.
Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History Month, died in 1950
On April 3, 1950, Carter G. Woodson died at the age of 74. Dr. Carter G. Woodson is known as the ‘Father of Black History Month.’ Woodson was also the second person to earn a Phd from Harvard University.
John Thompson became the first African American coach to win a NCAA tournament in 1984
On April 2, 1984, John Thompson became the first African American coach to win a NCAA tournament. John Thompson coached for 27 years, helping to launch the career of several talented NBA players including Patrick Ewing. In 1984, Georgetown coach John Thompson made history as the first African American coach to win a NCAA championship. After retiring from coaching, Thompson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize, was born in 1940
On April 1, 1940, Wangari Maathai was born. Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. She was also the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree.
Olympian Jesse Owens died in 1980
On March 31, 1980, Olympic track star Jesse Owens died at the age of 66. Jesse Owens is known as one of the greatest track and field athletes in history. In 1936, Jesse Owens won his first Olympic gold medal at the Berlin Olympics. He would go on to win a total of four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
GRAMMY winner Tracy Chapman was born in 1964
On March 30, 1964, Tracy Chapman was born. Tracy Chapman is a singer, songwriter, and GRAMMY award winner.
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