Today in History – Page 8

Three civil rights leaders disappeared in Mississippi in 1964

On June 21, 1964, Three civil rights leaders disappeared in Mississippi. Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Chaney were in Mississippi doing work for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) before they went missing. Doing their time, they drew the attention of the local Ku Klux Klan. Their disappearance led the FBI to launch an investigation named MIBURN, standing for “Mississippi Burning.” Seven of the nine men responsible for the crime were convicted in 1967.

Harry Belafonte became the first African American to win an Emmy award in 1960

Harry Belafonte became the first African American to win an Emmy award in 1960.

Famous actress and producer Phylicia Rashad was born in 1948

Actress and producer Phylicia Rashad was born in 1948. She is most known for her role in ‘The Cosby Show.’

Wellington Webb became the first African American mayor of Denver in 1991

Wellington Webb became the first African American mayor Denver, Colorado in 1991. He served as mayor from 1991 to 2003.

Tennis player Venus Williams was born in 1980

Venus Williams was born in California in 1980.

Legendary rapper and actor Tupac Shakur was born in 1971

Legendary rapper Tupac Shakur was born in 1971.Tupac is known for his hit songs like “Dear Mama” and “Only God Can Judge Me.”

Jazz pianist Erroll Garner was born in 1923

Jazz pianist Erroll Garner was born in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania in 1923.

Georgiana Simpson became the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in the U.S. in 1921

Georgiana Simpson became the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in the U.S. in 1921. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967

Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967. In 1967, Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
After being confirmed by the Senate, Thurgood Marshall was later sworn in. Making him the first African American Supreme Court Justice.

Prominent civil rights activist Medgar Evers was assassinated in 1963

Civil rights activist Medgar Evers was shot and killed at the age of 37 in 1963. Evers was shot by a sniper and assassinated in front of his Mississippi home by a KKK white supremacist. Before his death, Medgar Evers worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other influential leaders. He also served as a NAACP Field Secretary.