People, Locations, Episodes

Muhammad Ali, Boxer, Humanitarian, and Activist born

*On this dates Registry we mark the birth of Muhammad Ali in 1942. He was an African American professional boxer, the first boxer to win the heavyweight championship three separate times.

Walt Hazzard, Basketball Player, and Coach born

*Walt Hazzard was born on this date in 1942. He was an African American basketball player, player scout and coach.

Peter Norman, Olympic Athlete, and Activist born

*Peter Norman was born on this date in 1942. He was a white Australian track athlete. He won the silver medal in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. He was a five-time Australian 200 meter champion. He is also known for his support of African Americans John Carlos and Tommie Smith when they made their famous raised-fist gesture at the 1968 Olympics medal ceremony.

Ferguson Jenkins, Baseball Player born

*Ferguson Jenkins was born on this date in 1942. He is a former Black Canadian professional baseball pitcher and coach.   Ferguson Arthur “Fergie” Jenkins was born and raised in Chatham, Ontario, and was the only child of Delores Jackson and Ferguson Jenkins Sr. His father, a chef and chauffeur, was the son of immigrants […]

‘Happy’ Hairston, Basketball Player born

The birth of Harold “Happy” Hairston in 1943 is celebrated on this date. He was an African American basketball player.

Gale Sayers, American Football Player born

*Gale Sayers was born on this date in 1943.  He was a Black collegiate and professional football player and businessman.  Gale Eugene Sayers was born to Roger Earl Sayers and Bernice Ross in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. His father was a mechanic for Goodyear, farmed, and worked for auto dealerships. Sayers’ younger […]

Willie Davenport, Track Athlete born

Willie Davenport was born on this date in 1943. He was an African American athlete and military officer from Troy, AL.

An Army private in 1964, Davenport was the surprise winner in the 110-meter hurdles at the U. S. Olympic trials and he suddenly became the favorite for the gold medal. A thigh injury hampered his progress, and he lost in the Olympic semi-finals. Davenport was the national champion in the event the next three years, 1965-67, and he won his gold medal in 1968. He finished fourth in the 1972 Olympics and came back to win the bronze medal in 1976.

Arthur Ashe, Tennis Player and Activist born

Arthur Ashe was born on this date in 1943. He was an African American tennis player, author, activist and the first Black man to win a major tennis tournament.

Ken Norton Sr., Boxer, and Actor born

*Ken Norton was born on August 9, 1943. He was an African American WBC Heavyweight Boxing Champion and actor.

Major League Baseball Begins Signing Black Players

On this date in 1943, (then) Major League Baseball Commissioner Kenisaw Landis began the integration of professional baseball.

He announced that any professional baseball team could sign Black players.

Joe Frazier, Boxer born

*Joe Frazier was born on this date in 1944. He was an African American boxer. 

Tommie Smith, Track Sprinter, and Activist born

*Tommie Smith was born on this date in 1944.  He was a Black track & field athlete, wide receiver in the American Football League, and community activist.   Tommie C. Smith was born in Clarksville, Texas, the seventh of twelve children born to Richard and Dora Smith. He suffered from pneumonia as a child but still became an athlete.  At Lemoore High School in Lemoore, California, Smith […]

Tina Sloan Green, Athlete, and Administrator born

*Tina Sloan Green was born on this date in 1944. She is a Black teacher, coach, and administrator. Tina Sloan Green was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to deeply religious parents Norwood and Sally Sloan. She has six siblings: Norwood, Gene, Cordelia, Leonette, Beatrice, and Teresa. Her parents encouraged their children to complete a high school […]

John Carlos, Track Sprinter, and Activist born

*John Carlos was born on this date in 1945. He is a retired Afro Cuban American track and field and football athlete/player and an author.   Born in Harlem, New York, to Cuban parents, John Wesley Carlos was a gifted high school athlete and outstanding student studying at East Texas State University on a full track-and-field scholarship. His victories in the […]

Wayne Reese, Coach, and Counselor born

*Wayne Reese’s birth is celebrated on this date in 1945. He was a Black high school counselor and football coach.   Reese was a native of Vidalia, Louisiana. He moved to New Orleans in his early years with his parents, the late Alfred and Florida Reese, Sr., and his seven siblings. He attended Carter G. Woodson […]