eyoncé Knowles was born on September 4, 1981. She’s an incredibly talented singer, songwriter, and actress, known for being a part of Destiny’s Child and her successful solo career. Her influence in music, fashion, and culture has made her one of the most iconic entertainers of her generation.

On this date in 1963, Katherine Dunham (1909-2006). With the “Aida” production in 1963, Katherine Dunham becomes the first Black choreographer for the Metropolitan Opera.

Damon Wayans, the comedian and television actor, was born on September 4, 1960. He is best known for his work on shows like In Living Color and My Wife and Kids. Wayans is also a prominent member of the famous Wayans family, which has contributed significantly to comedy, acting, and filmmaking.

On September 4, 1957, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus deployed the National Guard to prevent nine Black students from entering Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. This event became a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement, as it highlighted the resistance to desegregation following the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling, which declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

In response to the governor’s actions, President Dwight D. Eisenhower intervened by sending federal troops to escort and protect the “Little Rock Nine,” the group of Black students, ensuring they could attend the school. This event drew national and international attention to the struggle for civil rights in the United States.

On September 4, 1949, a concert by Paul Robeson in Peekskill, New York, was disrupted by a violent mob, preventing the performance from taking place. Robeson, a renowned African American singer, actor, and political activist, had been a prominent figure in advocating for civil rights and against racial injustice.

This particular concert was part of a series of events organized by those supporting his activism, but it became infamous when a crowd of protesters, including many from local right-wing groups, began throwing rocks and chanting insults as Robeson attempted to perform. The riot led to several people being injured, and the concert had to be canceled for safety reasons.

The incident is significant not only for the violence that occurred but also as an example of the growing political tensions in post-World War II America. Robeson, known for his strong left-wing views and support of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, had become a target for anti-communist groups, leading to a backlash against his performances and activism. This event was one of many that illustrated the divisiveness of the era and the personal and professional costs that Robeson faced because of his outspoken political beliefs.

On September 4, 1923, George Washington Carver, the renowned agricultural scientist and educator, received the Spingarn Medal. The medal, awarded by the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), recognized Carver’s outstanding contributions to agriculture, particularly his pioneering work in promoting crop rotation and the use of peanuts and sweet potatoes. Carver’s efforts helped improve the economic stability of farmers, especially in the southern United States.

The Clinton Massacre took place on September 4, 1875, in Clinton, Mississippi. It was a violent event that occurred during the Reconstruction era, when tensions were high between white Democrats and Black citizens, particularly over political and voting rights.

The massacre occurred after a group of African American men, many of whom were registered voters, attempted to participate in the state elections. Armed white supremacists, including former Confederate soldiers, attacked the Black community in Clinton, killing around 20 to 30 Black men and injuring many more. The attack was part of a broader campaign of violence by white Democrats across Mississippi and other Southern states to suppress Black voting and reassert white control following the Civil War.

The Clinton Massacre is one of the many tragic events during Reconstruction where Black communities were targeted to intimidate and disenfranchise them politically and socially.

On September 4, 1865, Bowie State College (now known as Bowie State University) was established in Bowie, Maryland. It is one of the oldest historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. Originally founded as the Baltimore Normal School for Colored Teachers, its mission was to train African American teachers. Over time, it evolved into a full-fledged university offering a wide range of degree programs.

Louis Latimer was born on September 4, 1848, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. He was an African American inventor and engineer, best known for his work on improving the incandescent light bulb. Latimer made significant contributions to the development of electric lighting, including patenting a method for producing carbon filaments used in light bulbs. His work helped make electric lighting more practical and widely available. He also worked with other notable inventors like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. His legacy is an important part of the history of both engineering and innovation.

On September 4, 1781, a group of settlers, including Black settlers, founded the city of Los Angeles, California. The settlement was established under the name “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles,” which translates to “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of Angels.”

Among the 44 settlers, there were African, African American, and Indigenous individuals, some of whom were formerly enslaved. These Black settlers, often referred to as Los Negros or Los Mulatos, were essential to the development of early Los Angeles. They were granted land and freedom as part of the settlement’s foundation, which set the tone for the city’s diverse cultural makeup. Their contributions, alongside the Spanish and Indigenous people, laid the groundwork for what would later become one of the largest cities in the United States.

The role of African and African American settlers in the founding of Los Angeles is often underrepresented in historical narratives, but their presence and participation in shaping the city’s early days are significant and part of a broader history of Black contributions to the development of California.