On May 17, 1954, a ruling was made in the historic civil rights case Brown vs. Board of Education. The ruling found that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.
Tag Archives: history
Clara Stanton Jones, first African American president of the American Library Association, was born in 1913
On May 14, 1913, Clara Stanton Jones was born. Clara Stanton Jones was the first African American president of the American Library Association. She was also the first woman and the first African American director of the Detroit Public Library.
Legendary singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder was born in 1950
On May 13, 1950, Stevie Wonder was born. Stevie Wonder is a legendary singer, songwriter and musician. He is known for popular hits “Isn’t She Lovely” and “Part-Time Lover.”
Oscar Stanton De Priest, Chicago’s first black alderman, died in 1951
On May 12, 1951, Oscar Stanton De Priest died. Oscar DePriest was an influential civil rights activist and politician. Oscar DePriest was the first black alderman of Chicago, Illinois.
Bob Marley passed away at the age of 36 in 1981
On May 11, 1981, Bob Marley passed away at the age of 36. Bob Marley was born in Jamaica in the 1940’s. He produced hits like “No Woman, No Cry” and “Positive Vibrations.” Today, Bob Marley is remembered as one of the best reggae artists in music history.
Singer and songwriter Tamia was born in 1975
On May 9, 1975, Tamia was born. Tamia is a singer and songwriter. Tamia is known for hit songs like “So Into You” and “Stranger in My House.”
GRAMMY award-winning singer Thelma Houston was born
On May 7, 1946, Thelma Houston was born in 1946. Thelma Houston is a GRAMMY award-winning singer.
Ella Fitzgerald became the first African American woman to win a GRAMMY award in 1959
On May 4, 1959, Ella Fitzgerald became the first African American woman to win a GRAMMY award.
The Black Student Sit-In took place at Northwestern University in 1968
On May 3, 1968, the Black Student Sit-In took place at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. In 1968, black students at Northwestern University took control of Bursar’s Office and orchestrated a monumental sit-in.
Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American to receive a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950
On May 1, 1950, Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American to receive a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.