On this day, Frederick Douglass, in collaboration with Martin R. Delany, published the first issue of The North Star in Rochester, New York. The newspaper became one of the most influential anti-slavery publications of the 19th century.

Its motto was:

“Right is of no Sex – Truth is of no Color – God is the Father of us all, and we are all brethren.”

The North Star served as a powerful platform for abolitionism, civil rights, and Black empowerment. Douglass, a formerly enslaved man turned orator and statesman, used the publication to advocate for the end of slavery and for full equality for African Americans and women.

On this day, Thomas “Hitman” Hearns defeated Wilfred Benítez to win the WBC Junior Middleweight (Super Welterweight) title. With this victory, Hearns became the first Black boxer — and the first boxer in history — to win world titles in five different weight divisions:

• Welterweight

• Light Middleweight

• Middleweight

• Super Middleweight

• Light Heavyweight

Hearns’ versatility, punching power, and iconic duels with other legends like Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler cemented his status as one of boxing’s all-time greats.

On December 3, 1964, J. Raymond Jones was elected leader of New York City’s Democratic organization, Tammany Hall, becoming the first African American to hold this influential position. Jones, often referred to as the “Harlem Fox,” led Tammany Hall from 1964 to 1967. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in mentoring prominent political figures, including Judge Constance Baker Motley, Congressman Charles Rangel, and future New York City Mayor David Dinkins.

Roy Wilkins, executive secretary of the NAACP, was awarded the prestigious Spingarn Medal for his lifelong dedication to civil rights and his significant contributions to “the advancement of the American people and the national purpose.” As a key leader in the civil rights movement, Wilkins played a central role in landmark campaigns, including the 1963 March on Washington and the push for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

On this day, the Independence Bank of Chicago was officially organized, becoming one of the largest Black-owned banks in the United States. Founded to serve the financial needs of the Black community, it played a critical role in providing loans, mortgages, and other banking services during a time when mainstream financial institutions often denied access to African Americans. The bank symbolized economic empowerment and self-determination during the Civil Rights Movement.

On this day, President Harry S. Truman established a presidential committee to monitor and enforce compliance with anti-discrimination provisions in U.S. government contracts and sub-contracts. This was a significant step in the federal government’s efforts to promote equal opportunity in employment, especially within industries connected to federal funding. The move built on Executive Order 9981 (1948), which desegregated the armed forces, and was part of Truman’s broader civil rights agenda.

Ralph Gardner-Chavis, born in Cleveland, Ohio, was a pioneering African American chemist whose research played a crucial role in the development of hard plastics. His work in the manipulation of catalytic chemicals contributed significantly to advancements in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Gardner-Chavis also worked on the Manhattan Project, though he later became an advocate for responsible science and equal opportunity in STEM fields.

Helen Gray Edmonds was born in Lawrenceville, Virginia. She went on to become a distinguished educator, historian, and civic leader. Edmonds was the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. from Ohio State University (1946) and later became the first African American woman to second the nomination for a U.S. presidential candidate at a major political convention (Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1956).

She also served as the Dean of the Graduate School at North Carolina Central University, breaking racial and gender barriers throughout her career. Edmonds was a lifelong advocate for education and public service, and her legacy continues to inspire scholars and leaders.

• The 48th U.S. Congress (1883–1885) convened with two Black representatives:

  • James E. O’Hara of North Carolina

  • Robert Smalls of South Carolina, a former enslaved man and Civil War hero

• George L. Ruffin was appointed City Judge in Boston, becoming one of the first African Americans to hold a judicial post in a major U.S. city.

• Despite these achievements, racist violence escalated, with 53 African Americans reportedly lynched in 1883, highlighting the dangerous and hostile climate of the post-Reconstruction era.

On this day, the Virginia Constitutional Convention convened in Richmond as part of Reconstruction efforts following the Civil War. For the first time, 25 Black men—many of them formerly enslaved—joined 80 white delegates to draft a new state constitution under the terms of Congressional Reconstruction.

This was a monumental moment in U.S. history, as African Americans were participating in the formal re-creation of a Southern state’s government.

Due to political resistance and legal challenges, the constitution they drafted was not ratified until July 6, 1869. When adopted, it expanded voting rights, created a system of free public education, and established legal protections regardless of race — major advances during the Reconstruction era.

On this day, John S. Rock—a lawyer, physician, and abolitionist—passed away. In 1865, he made history as the first African American admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. A man of many talents, Rock was also a licensed dentist and doctor, making him one of the most accomplished Black professionals of his time. He was also a vocal advocate for civil rights and a passionate supporter of the Union cause during the Civil War.

Rock famously coined the phrase “Black is beautiful” nearly a century before it became a cultural rallying cry.

On this date in 1865, Selection of the first Inter-racial jury is formed.

The Twenty-Fifth Corps was officially established within the Union Army of the James, becoming the largest all-Black unit in the history of the U.S. Army. Composed almost entirely of United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.), the corps played a pivotal role in the final campaigns of the Civil War, including the assault on Richmond and the occupation of Texas after the war. Its formation marked a major step in the recognition of Black soldiers’ contributions to the Union victory.

On this day, the Society of Colored People in Baltimore began keeping records in a notebook that continued until September 7, 1845. This group is recognized as the first documented Black Catholic association in the United States whose records have been preserved. The society reflected the early efforts of Black Catholics to organize around faith, mutual aid, and community support during a time of widespread racial discrimination—even within religious institutions.