People, Locations, Episodes

The University of Alabama Apologizes for Supporting Slavery

On this date in 2004, the University of Alabama publicly apologized for the schools associated history of slavery against Africans in America.

This apology was to the descendants of slaves who were once owned by faculty members or who worked on the campus before the Civil War. U of A’s faculty Senate passed a resolution in Tuscaloosa acknowledging and apologizing for their historic role in slavery. An overwhelming majority of the members present voted in favor of the resolution after an extended debate over amendments and discussion of the meaning of the word “atone.”

A Black Man is Lynched in 21st Century America

On this date in 2004 an African American man was found hanged from tree in Mississippi.

Roy Veal had returned to the state to fight for family’s land in Woodville, Miss. The State Department of Public Safety discovered the body of 55-year-old Veal, in Wilkinson County. Doris Gordon, Veal’s sister also a Woodville native now living in San Francisco, said her brother, Roy lived in Washington State. Thelma Veal, the man’s mother, also confirmed the identity.

Bill Cosby’s ‘Pound Cake’ Speech at Brown v. B.O.E. Ceremony

On this date in 2004, entertainer and philanthropist Bill Cosby made controversial public comments about African Americans.

The Sudanese Community is Promised Government Help

*On this date in 2004 Sudan’s President pledged to end violence in the western Darfur region of the African country.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Opens

On this date in 2004, the Public Dedication of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (NURFC) took place. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a testimonial and tribute to freedom. It brings to life the significance and consequence of struggles for freedom around the world and throughout history, including in today’s world.

The American Senate Asserts Genocide in Sudan

On this date in 2004, the United States accused Arab militias of genocide against the Black African population in Sudan. Secretary of State Colin Powell said the abuses by government-supported Arab militias were happening in Sudan’s Darfur region.

Cracker Barrel Restaurant Admits to Racism

On this date in 2004, the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain agreed to an $8.7 million settlement to resolve all lawsuits brought or supported by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The civil rights organization accused the restaurant chain of segregating Blacks in the smoking section and denying them service.

“This matter has been resolved to everyone’s satisfaction and the parties are now ready to move forward,” said Donald Turner, the chain’s president and chief operating officer.

The First Black Woman Wins the Nobel Peace Prize

On this date in 2004, the first Black woman won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Kenyan ecologist Wangari Maathai, 64, was honored by the Nobel committee for standing at the “front of the fight to promote ecologically viable social, economic and cultural development in Kenya and in Africa.” She is an outspoken environmentalist, whose tree-planting campaign slows deforestation and aids the poor.

Tamir Rice is Murdered by the Police

On this date in 2014, Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old Black boy, was killed in Cleveland, Ohio, by Timothy Loehmann, a 26-year-old white police officer. Young Rice was in a park, carrying a replica toy gun; Loehmann shot him almost immediately after arriving on the scene.  On December 29, 2020, the Department of Justice declined to […]

Kweisi Mfume Resigns From the NAACP

*On this date in 2004, Kweisi Mfume announced his resignation from the Presidents post of the NAACP. Saying he needs a break, Mfume announced that he was stepping down as the head of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights group.

White Supremacists Recruit Membership in Minnesota

On this date in 2004, it was reported that one of the largest white supremacist groups in the country was recruiting members in Duluth, Minnesota.

Over the previous weekend, mailings were handed out from recruiters for the National Alliance, a 30-year-old group based in West Virginia. The African American Registry realizes that this activity is an ongoing process but felt the need to spotlight this episode as a benchmark, an appearance, of today’s racism against Blacks.

Ku Klux Klan Gunman is Arrested for 1967 Murders

On this date in 2005 an alleged member of the Ku Klux Klan was arrested in connection with the 1964 shooting deaths of James Chaney, a 21-year-old Black Mississippian, and two white Jewish New Yorkers, Andrew Goodman, 20, and Michael Schwerner, 24 in Philadelphia, Miss.

Edgar Ray Killen, 79, was accused of the murder of the three young men in a case that outraged a nation. In 1967, the Justice Department tried Killen and 18 other men, many of them also Klan members, on federal civil rights violations. Seven were convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 10 years.

The First Black Female Secretary of State in America is Appointed

On this date in 2004, Condoleezza Rice became the first African American Secretary of State in America.

She was appointed by President George W. Bush The former National Security Adviser since 2001 was the second Black (after Colin Powell) and second female (after Madeleine Albright) to serve as Secretary of State.

Jackie Robinson Receives The Congressional Gold Medal

*On This date in 2005, Jackie Robinson was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. This happened more than half a century after he broke baseball’s color barrier.

The Obelisk of Axum is returned to Ethiopia

*On this date in 2005, Italy returned the Obelisk of Axum to Ethiopia.  One of the African country’s most cherished relics, it was taken by Italian fascist invaders almost 70 years before. During Italy’s invasion in 1937, the 78-foot (24-meter), 160-tonne granite tower was stolen and placed in a square in Rome by the Italian […]