On April 11, 1966, Emmett Ashford became the first black umpire in Major League Baseball.
Category Archives: Today in History
Lee Elder became the first African American to play in the Masters in 1975
On April 10, 1975, Lee Elder became the first African American to play in the Masters.
Prominent performer and athlete Paul Robeson was born in 1898
On April 9, 1898, Paul Robeson was born in New Jersey. Paul Robeson was an influential performer, actor, singer and athlete. Early on in his career, Robeson practiced as a lawyer before shifting to singing and acting. Robeson gained higher education from Rutgers University before attending Columbia University Law School. Paul Robeson died in 1976 at the age of 77.
Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s long-standing home run record in 1974
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.
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.
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