People, Locations, Episodes

Robert Lawrence, Chemist, and Astronaut born

Robert H. Lawrence, an African American astronaut, was born on this date in 1935.

He was born in Chicago, and graduated from Englewood High Schoo. He earned a B. S. in chemistry from Bradley University in 1956, and completed a doctorate in physical chemistry at Ohio State University.

Willie O’Ree, Hockey Player born

*Willie O’Ree was born on this date in 1935.  He is a Black Canadian professional ice hockey player (retired).. William Eldon O’Ree was raised in a large family in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He was the youngest of 13 children of parents Rosebud and Harry. O’Ree’s grandparents came to Canada from the United States through the Underground Railroad to escape slavery. While O’Ree was […]

Herman Boone, Football Coach born.

*Herman Boone was born on this date in 1935. He was a Black high school teacher and football coach. Herman Ike Boone was from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He attended Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, then the now-closed Booker T. Washington High School. While attending North Carolina Central University, Boone joined the Tau Psi chapter of the Omega […]

Bob Gibson, Baseball Player born

*Bob Gibson was born on this date in 1935. He was an African American baseball player.

From Omaha, Nebraska he was named Pack Robert Gibson, after his father who died 3 months before his birth and changed his name to Robert when he turned 18. Despite a childhood filled with health problems, including rickets, asthma, pneumonia, and a heart murmur, he was active in sports particularly baseball and basketball. After a standout career at Tech High in Omaha, Gibson won a basketball scholarship to Creighton University.

Jim Brown, Football Player, Actor, Activist

*Jim Brown was born on this date in 1936. He was an African American football player, actor and civil rights advocate. From Saint Simons, Ga. He was the son of Swinton and Theresa Brown.

Gordon Brown Sr., Golfer born

*Gordon Brown Sr. was born on this date in 1936. He is an African American Golfer and activist.

Ralph Metcalfe, Athlete, and Politician born

On this date, the Registry recalls the birth of Ralph Metcalfe in 1910. He was an African American sprinter and politician.

A Stunning Victory at the Olympic Games

*On this date in 1936, “the most daring move seen in track” happened at the Olympic games. It was here that African American John Woodruff won the 800-meters Gold Medal in Berlin.

The Wake Robin Golf Club is Founded

*On this date in 1936, the Wake Robin Golf Club of Washington, D. C., was formed. This was one of the first all-Black Women Golf Clubs in America.

Thirteen women held their first meeting at the home of Helen Webb Harris at 79 R Street NW that evening. She was an educator and the wife of a prominent Washington physician. Each founding member was married to an associate of Washington’s all-Black, all-male Royal Golf Club, and they were tired of staying home on weekends while their husbands played.

Wilt Chamberlain, Basketball Player born

This date marks the birth of Wilt Chamberlain in 1936. He was an African American basketball player who won seven consecutive NBA scoring titles and is the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer.

Al Attles, Basketball Player and Coach born

*Al Attles was born on this date in 1936.  He was a Black professional basketball player, coach, and executive.   Alvin Austin Attles Jr. was born in Newark, New Jersey. He graduated from Weequahic High School and North Carolina A&T State University. Attles earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and history along with a […]

John Wooten, Football Player, and Historian born

*John Wooten was born on this date in 1936. He is a Black retired American football player and current administrator.  John B. Wooten was born in Riverview, Texas. His family then moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico, and he attended segregated schools through the 9th grade before attending the newly integrated Carlsbad High School.   Wooten […]

Willie E. Jeffries, Football Coach born.

*Willie E. Jeffries was born on this date in 1937. He is a Black former American football player and coach. Jeffries grew up in South Carolina, attending the segregated Sims High School in Union County. He played football there and started coaching in 1960 as an assistant at Barr Street High School in Lancaster, South […]

The National Basketball League is Founded

*The founding of the National Basketball League (NBL) is celebrated on this date in 1937. This was a professional basketball league in the United States.  The forerunner of this league was the Midwest Basketball Conference (MBC) in 1935. It changed its name in 1937 to attract a larger audience. Three Great Lakes area corporations created […]

Baseballs Negro American League is Formed

*This date in 1937 celebrates the founding of the Negro American League. This was one of the several Negro Baseball Leagues created when organized white-American baseball was segregated.   From 1939 through 1942 and 1944 through 1947, the team in first place at the end of the season was declared the Pennant winner. Due to the unorthodox nature of the schedule […]