Facts

1934: Henry “Home Run King” Aaron, baseball superstar was born in Mobile, Alabama. He held the record for most career Home Runs for 31 years.

Rosa Parks was born on this day in Tuskeegee, AL in 1913. Ms. Parks earned numerous awards for her life-long dedication to social change and justice.

1956: Autherine J. Lucy becomes the first black student to attend the University of Alabama. She was expelled 3 days later “for her own safety.”

Eric Holder is sworn in as the first African-American U.S. Attorney General in 2009.

1865: The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, was adopted by the 38th Congress. Ratification was completed December 6, 1865.

Etta Moten sings for President Roosevelt at a White House Dinner. It is the first time an African American actress performs at the White House in 1934.

Harlem Globetrotters formed in 1927. They are the only sports team to have a star on “Hollywood’s Walk of Fame” and have won more than 22,500 games.

American television personality, Oprah Winfrey, whose syndicated daily talk show is among the most popular was born in Kosciusko, Miss in 1954.

In 1970, Arthur Ashe, first Black male to win Wimbledon, is denied entry to South African Open due to Ashe’s sentiments on S.Africa’s racial policies.

Ralph Ellison’s powerful novel, Invisible Man, wins the National Book Award of 1952.