Category Archives: Today in History

Trinidad and Tobago’s independence day is celebrated to commemorate its independence from Britain in 1962.

Civil rights activist and Black Panther Fred Hampton was born in 1948. Early on in his life, Fred Hampton developed a love for activism and community organizing. Hampton’s organizing efforts caught the attention of notable civil rights leaders including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Don Williams, the head of the West Suburban chapter of the NAACP. Throughout the 1960’s Hampton continued with his mission, eventually being appointed as the chairman of the Black Panther’s Party’s Illinois Chapter. After years of activism and service, eventually Fred Hampton caught the attention of law enforcement agencies including the FBI. Shortly thereafter, Fred Hampton was killed in a police raid on December 4, 1969.

Famous singer and songwriter Michael Jackson was born in 1958. Michael Jackson produced hits like Triller, Rock With You, Beat it, Billie Jean and others. His talent, which included dancing and singing, earned him the title of “King of Pop.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech at the March on Washington in 1963. The historic speech was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in front of a crowd of nearly 250,000 people.

Historian, scholar, writer and author W.E.B. Du Bois died in 1963. W.E.B. Du Bois was a well-known scholar, who advocated for the intellectual empowerment of Black people. Du Bois received higher education from Fisk University, Harvard University and the University of Berlin. At Harvard University, he made history as the first African American to earn a PhD.

On August 26, 2016, former NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick for the first time publicly addressed taking a knee during the national anthem. At the end of a preseason game in 2016, then San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick speaks for the first time about his decision to sit for the national anthem.

Legendary tennis player Althea Gibson was born in 1927. Althea Gibson was the first African American to win Wimbledon in 1957.

Civil rights activist and organizer Bayard Rustin died in 1987. Bayard Rustin was an influential civil rights and gay rights activist. He was involved in key global civil and gay rights movements, but oftentimes didn’t receive credit due to his sexuality and past indiscretions. Despite being left out of the spotlight, Rustin remained dedicated to global activism. Bayard Rustin was the lead organizer of the historic 1963 “March on Washington.”

Booker T. Washington founded the National Negro Business League in 1900. It was later renamed the National Business League.

The Haitian Revolution began in St. Domingue in 1791 after slaves planned a rebellion. The revolution lasted until January 1,1804.