People, Locations, Episodes

The Martin Luther King Jr. Center For Nonviolent Social Change Opens

*On this date in 1981, we affirm the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.  Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the organization carries out initiatives on both the domestic and international levels.  This is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization founded by Coretta Scott King.   She started the organization in the basement of the couple’s home in the year following her husband’s […]

The First Woman President of the National Bar Association is Installed

On this date in 1981, Attorney Arnette R. Hubbard was installed as the first woman president of the National Bar Association (NBA).

The NBA was formally organized in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 1, 1925.

Belize Gains Independence From Britain

*On this date in 1981, Belize gained independence from Britain. Its history dates back thousands of years. The Maya civilization spread into Belize between 1500 BC and 1200 BC and flourished until about 1000 AD. Several Maya ruin sites reflect that period’s advanced civilization and much denser population. Spanish conquistadors and missionaries made the first […]

Shockoe Bottom, (Richmond, VA.) is Preserved

*On this date in 1983, Shockoe Bottom was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Between the late 17th century and the end of the American Civil War in 1865, the area played a major role in the history of slavery in the United States, serving as the second largest slave trading center in the country, second to New Orleans.

The First Black Miss America is Crowned

*On this date in 1983, Vanessa Williams became the 56th Miss America, and the first African American woman to be chosen. Uniquely qualified in 1984 she was unfortunately forced to relinquish her crown after Penthouse magazine published nude photos of her taken years before.

Losing the title meant losing $2 million in product endorsements and the lead in a Broadway musical. Most people assumed her career was over, but Williams’ talent won out. “I am not a lesbian and I am not a slut, and somehow I am going to make people believe me,” was Williams’ vow.

America Invades Grenada

On this date in 1983, President Ronald Reagan ordered U. S. Marines and Army Rangers to invade Grenada.

Citing a takeover of the Caribbean Island by “a brutal group of leftist thugs,” U. S. troops, along with a small force from six Caribbean nations, overcame surprisingly strong resistance from Cubans, who supported the island’s new regime.

A day after the invasion, the troops begin evacuating 1,100 U.S. citizens on the island.

The ‘Martin Luther King Day Bill’ is Signed

*On this date in 1983, the legislative bill establishing Martin Luther King Day as a national holiday was signed.

The First Black Coach Wins an NCAA Basketball Title

On this date in 1984 John Thompson, of Georgetown University, became the first Black coach to win the NCAA basketball tournament.

That evening Georgetown beat Houston in the NCAA final, 84-75, to win its only national championship.

Prince Performs at Gallaudet University

*On this date in 1984, Prince gave one of his more unique concerts.   At the height of his notoriety, Prince stopped by to play a free concert for 1,900 students at Gallaudet University, the world-renowned school for the deaf, and 600 special needs students from D.C.-area schools.   Working with promoters Darryll Brooks and Carol Kirkendall, he requested to do the show for […]

The MOVE Bombing in Philadelphia Occurs

*On this date in 1985, the MOVE bombing occurred. This incident happened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when the Philadelphia Police Department bombed a residential home occupied by the militant black anarcho-primitivist group MOVE. After the bombing, the Philadelphia Fire Department let the fire burn out of control following a standoff and firefight. Sixty-one homes were burned to […]

Anti-Apartheid Protest Occurs

On this date in 1984, The South African Embassy in Washington D.C. was the focus of an anti-apartheid demonstration.

This protest of the racial separation in South Africa sparked other marches and demonstrations throughout the U.S., like this 1985 effort where National Council of Negro Women President Dorothy Height participated. Also at this protest, and arrested, in 1984 were TransAfrica’s Randall Robinson, D.C. congressional delegate Walter Fauntroy, and U.S. Civil Rights Commissioner Mary Frances Berry.

Michael Jordan Sets The NBA Playoff Game Scoring Record

On this date in 1986, Michael Jordan set an NBA playoff scoring record.

Jordan scored 63 points that evening against Boston Celtics.

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone Makes Racist Remark

*On this date in 1986, (then) Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone said the United States’ “intelligence levels are lower than those in Japan because of African Americans, Hispanics, and Puerto Ricans.”   Responding to the Japanese leader’s speech suggesting that the racially homogeneous country was “intellectually” superior to the U.S. African American business leaders led by BE […]

The Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 is Passed

*On this date in 1986, The Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 was passed and enacted by the United States Congress.   The act was initiated in 1972 by Congressman Ronald Dellums in reaction to the plight of blacks in South Africa and demanded the end of apartheid.  The bill was re-introduced in 1986 and brought up for a vote despite Republican efforts to block it to give […]

The First Black Professional Ten-Pin Bowling Champion is Crowned

One this date, George Branham, was the first African American to win a Professional Bowlers Association, (PBA) championship. He defeated Mark Roth from Detroit in Glendale Heights, Illinois, on this date in 1986. . .