People, Locations, Episodes

C. Vivian Stringer, Basketball Coach born

*C. Vivian Stringer was born on this date in 1948. She is a former black basketball coach. Charlaine Vivian Stringer is a native of Edenborn, Pennsylvania, and a member of the Alumni Hall of Fame at her alma mater. While in high school, she sued her school for not allowing her to be a cheerleader […]

Clearview Golf Club (Ohio) Opens

*On this date in 1948, we celebrate Clearview Golf Club. The Clearview Golf Club was the first golf course in the United States to be built, owned, and operated by a black person. The club started in 1946, with Bill Powell purchasing and working on the land in his spare time. The club is two […]

Bob Lanier, Basketball Player and Administrator born

Bob Lanier was born on this date in 1948. He was an African American basketball player and is an author, administrator, and educator.
Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Robert Jerry Lanier, Jr., attended Bennett High School where he was a three-time All-America player. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1970. He holds St. Bonaventure’s record for scoring (27.6 ppg) and rebounding (15.7 rpg).

After college, the Detroit Pistons drafted Lanier as their number one choice in 1970. He was later named to the NBA’s All-Rookie team. Lanier was traded to Milwaukee Bucks in 1980.

George Foreman, Boxer and Businessman born.

*George Foreman was born on this date in 1949. He was a Black professional boxer, businessman, minister and author. George Foreman was born in Marshall, Texas. He grew up with six siblings in the Fifth Ward community of Houston, Texas. Although he was raised by J. D. Foreman, whom his mother had married when George was […]

Dennis Green, Football Coach born

*Dennis Green was born on this date in 1949. He was an African American college and professional football coach.

The New York Giants Baseball Team Integrates

On this date in 1949, two years after playing his first game with the St. Louis Browns, 24-year-old Hank Thompson became the first African American on another team, the New York Giants.

He started at second base on this date in 1949. Thompson, an alcoholic who had spent time in reform school, would later serve time in prison for armed robbery. Ex-Newark Eagle and Army veteran Monte Irvin also played for the Giants in 1949 on his way to the Hall of Fame.

Vida Blue, Baseball Player born.

*Vida Blue was born on this date in 1949. He was a Black professional baseball player. Early life Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. was born and raised in Mansfield in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. He was the oldest of six children born to Vida Blue, Sr, a laborer in a Mansfield iron foundry, and his wife, Sallie. […]

Julius Erving, Basketball Player born

*Julius Erving was born on this date in 1950. He is an African American basketball player (retired).

Franco Harris, Football Player born

*On this date in 1950, Franco Harris was born. He was a Black American football player. Harris was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey. His father, Cad Harris, a black soldier, served in World War II and was stationed in Italy during the war. His mother, Gina Parenti Harris, was a native Italian who moved […]

Errol Tobias, Rugby Union Player, born.

*Errol Tobias was born on this date in 1950. He is a former Black South African rugby union player. Errol George Tobias was born on the farm Klipdrift, located outside Caledon, South Africa, in the Overberg district of the Western Cape. He played in the early 1970s for the Proteas when they toured in Britain. The […]

Braves Baseball Team Integrates

On this date in 1950, the (then) Boston Braves baseball team integrated. Famed Cleveland Buckeyes star Sam Jethroe became their first Black player He had a stellar season and was named National League Rookie of the Year.

One of the most highly-touted prospects of all time, Jethroe led the majors in stolen bases his first two years, but never quite lived up to the high expectations. Over his three-year career, he batted.261 with 460 hits and 49 home runs.

Rod Milburn, Track & Field Athlete born

Rod Milburn was born on this date in 1950. He was an African American athlete and community supporter.

The First Black Man Plays In The National Basketball Association

On this date in 1950, Earl Lloyd became the first African American to play in an NBA game.

The contest was between the Washington Capitols and the Rochester Royals with Rochester winning 78-70.

The First Black Hockey Player Signs an NHL Hockey Contract

On this date in 1950, the first African American signed a professional hockey contract.

Arthur Dorrington, a native of Nova Scotia, served with the U.S. Army and after service, signed with one of the New York Rangers farm clubs in 1950. He chose instead to play for the Atlantic City Seagulls of the Eastern League, leading them to a league championship in 1951.

After a career-ending injury, he built a second profession as an officer in the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department.

Joe Gilliam Jr., Football Player born

On this date in 1950 Joe Gilliam, Jr., was born. He was an African American professional football player.