People, Locations, Episodes

The First Black Wins A Major American Tennis Title

On this date in 1956, Althea Gibson won the French Open Tennis Tournament, becoming the first African American player to win a major tennis title.

Reference:
The Associated Press
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Bernard Harris, Doctor, and Astronaut born

Bernard A. Harris, Jr., was born on this date in 1956. He is an African American scientist, surgeon, and former NASA astronaut.

Born in Temple, TX, he is the son of Mrs. Gussie H. Burgess, and Mr. Bernard A. Harris, Sr. He graduated from Sam Houston High School, San Antonio, in 1974, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Houston in 1978. In 1982, Harris received his doctorate in medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine.

Mae Jemison, Astronaut, and Physician born

Mae Carol Jemison was born on this date in 1956. She is an African American astronaut and physician.

She was born in Decatur, Alabama, but raised in Chicago, the youngest of three children. Her parents, Dorothy and Charlie Jemison, encouraged, stimulated, and supported the many interest of their children. Young Mae Carol Jemison loved to read and to dance. She enjoyed science fiction, pure science, and learning about the formation of the universe. She graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1973, and entered Stanford University as a scholarship student, all at age 16.

Warren Moon, (American) Football Player born.

*Warren Moon was born on this date in 1956. He is a Black retired American football player.   Born in Los Angeles, California, Harold Warren Moon was the middle child of six sisters. His father, Harold, was a laborer who died of liver disease when Moon was seven. His mother, Pat, was a nurse, and […]

Val James, Hockey Player born

*Val James was born on this date in 1957. He is a former Black National Hockey League left winger and defenseman. Valmore Curtis James was born in Ocala, Florida, and raised in Hauppauge, New York. He is one of six children. James began skating and playing ice hockey in Commack, New York, where his father was an […]

Pearl Moore, Basketball Player born.

*Pearl Moore was born on this date in 1957. She is a retired Black woman’s professional basketball player.  Born in Florence, South Carolina, Moore began playing basketball while attending Wilson High School. She started for all four years and earned the MVP award at the 1975 and 1976 AAU Junior Olympic Games. Moore began her collegiate career […]

The First Black Golfer Wins a PGA Tournament

The first African American won a major professional golf tournament on this date in 1957.

Charlie Sifford was the winner of the Long Beach Open that day.

The National Hockey League Integrates

On this date in 1958, Willie O’Ree became the first Black man to play in the National Hockey League (NHL).

O’Ree played for the Boston Bruins during the 1957-58 seasons and retired from professional hockey in 1980. Honoring his pioneering spirit the NHL created the Willie O’Ree All-Star Game that is held every year at the Junior World Championships.

Lovie Smith, Football Coach born

Lovie Smith was born on this date in 1958. He is an African American professional and college football coach.

Born in Gladewater, TX, Lovie Lee Smith was named after his great-aunt, Lavana. Raised in Big Sandy, TX, he earned all-state honors for three years as a defensive end and linebacker. His team won three state championships as well. He played at University of Tulsa and was a two-time All-American.

Baseball’s Detroit Tigers Integrate

On this date in 1958, Ozzie Virgil integrated the Detroit Tigers baseball team.

Virgil, acquired from the San Francisco Giants in January of that year, became the first Black player to appear in a Detroit Tiger game. He went 1-for-5 as a batter in the 11-2 win over Washington. “I don’t believe the Tigers called me up because I was black,” Virgil said, “They called me up because I was a player. I was treated very well in Detroit. It was pleasant. I went through the minor leagues with guys like Jim Bunning and Hank Aguirre. They accepted me.”

Dorsey v. State Athletic Commission is Decided

*On this date in 1958, Dorsey v. State Athletic Commission was decided. The Louisiana decision stated that Joseph Dorsey, Jr., is a Negro prizefighter. He brings this suit on his behalf and behalf of all other Negro professional prizefighters similarly situated. He asks for a declaratory judgment and an injunction to restrain the Louisiana State […]

Rickey Henderson, Baseball Player, and Coach born

*Rickey Henderson was born on this date in 1958. He was a Black major league baseball player and coach. Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson was born in Chicago, Illinois, in the back seat of an Oldsmobile on the way to the hospital. He was named after singer-actor Ricky Nelson, the son of John L. Henley and […]

Emory Tate Jr., Master Chess Player born

*Emory Tate Jr. was born on this date in 1958. He was a Black International Chess Player. Emory Andrew Tate Jr. was from Gary, Indiana, and was taught the game of chess by his father, Emory Sr., an attorney. He learned to play chess as a child. He had a gift for languages and could […]

The Boston Red Sox Baseball Team Integrates

On this date in 1959, the Boston Red Sox of major league baseball’s American League became the last team to integrate their organization.

It was integrated when Pumpsie Green, an African American, was included in the lineup. On this date, Green made pinch runs for the Red Sox. He played in Boston for three seasons before he was traded to the New York Mets in 1963.

Dirk Graham, Hockey Player, and Coach born

*Dirk Graham was born on this date in 1959. He is a former Black Canadian professional hockey player in the National Hockey League. Dirk Milton Graham was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. He was selected 89th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. In 1980–81, Graham scored 40 goals with the Toledo Goaldiggers […]