On March 22, 1930, Willie Thrower was born. Willie Thrower was the first black quarterback in the NFL. In 1953, he made history with the Chicago Bears. Willie Thrower died in 2002.
Category Archives: Today in History
Lois Jean White, the first black president of the National Parent Teacher Association, was born in 1938
On March 21, 1938, Lois Jean White was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Lois Jean White gained higher education from Fisk University. In 1989, she became the first black president of the National Parent Teacher Association.
Famous director and screenwriter Spike Lee was born in 1957
On March 20, 1957, Spike Lee was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Spike Lee is a famous director, screenwriter, and actor.
Students at Howard University conducted a sit-in at Douglass Hall in 1968
On March 19, 1968, students at Howard University conducted a sit-in at Douglass Hall. In 1968, more than 1000 students participated in a four day protest at Howard University. The students demanded a change in administration and an increase in African American studies in the curriculum. The sit-in lasted until March 23, 1968.
Unita Zelma Blackwell, the first black woman to be elected mayor in Mississippi, was born in 1933
On March 18, 1933, Civil rights leader and activist Unita Zelma Blackwell was born. Unita Blackwell was an influential figure in Mississippi who helped to create institutions and policies that sought to uplift the black community. She founded the Mississippi Democratic Freedom Party (1964) and co-founded the Mississippi Action Community Education (1964).
Bayard Rustin, the lead organizer of the March on Washington, was born in 1912
On March 17, 1912, Bayard Rustin was born. Bayard Rustin was an influential civil rights activist and organizer in the 1900s. He was involved in key global civil and gay rights movements but often didn’t receive credit due to his sexuality. Despite being left out of the spotlight, Rustin remained dedicated to activism. He was the lead organizer of the 1963 “March on Washington.”
The Freedom’s Journal, the first newspaper owned and operated by African Americans, was published in 1827
On March 16, 1827, The Freedom’s Journal was published. The Freedom’s Journal was the first newspaper owned and operated by African Americans. The newspaper served as a voice for the black community by advocating against racism and discrimination.
John Wesley Lee Jr. became the first African American to be commissioned to the regular U.S. Navy in 1947
On March 15, 1947, John Wesley Lee Jr. became the first African American to be commissioned to the regular U.S. Navy. John Wesley Lee Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944. In 1947, he became the first African American to be commissioned to the regular U.S. Navy. He retired from active duty in 1966.
Fannie Lou Hamer, the co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, died in 1977
On March 14, 1977, Fannie Lou Hamer died at the age of 59 from breast cancer. Fannie Lou Hamer was an impactful civil and voting rights advocate. She co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) and was an active organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
Breonna Taylor was killed during a botched police raid in Louisville in 2020
On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor was killed during a botched police raid in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2020, 26-year-old EMT Breonna Taylor was shot and killed during a botched police raid. None of the officers involved in the shooting have yet to face charges associated with her death.
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