On or around December 6, 1849, Harriet Tubman escaped enslavement in Dorchester County, Maryland. Risking her life, she later returned to the South at least 13 times over a decade, guiding approximately 70 enslaved people to freedom, including family and friends, via the Underground Railroad.

Though often credited with rescuing over 300 people, historians generally agree that this number likely refers to the total number of people she assisted indirectly or inspired through her work and leadership. Tubman became known as “Moses” for her courage and unwavering commitment to freedom and justice.

William Stanley Braithwaite was born in Boston, Massachusetts. A poet, literary critic, and editor, Braithwaite played a pivotal role in shaping early 20th-century American poetry. He was widely respected for his annual anthologies of verse, which provided a platform for both Black and white poets during a time of deep racial segregation in publishing.

W.E.B. Du Bois referred to him as “the most prominent critic of poetry in America.”
On May 5, 1919, Braithwaite was honored with the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP in recognition of his outstanding literary achievements and contributions to American letters.

On this day, Lee P. Brown made history by being elected the first African American mayor of Houston, Texas. A former police chief and federal “drug czar,” Brown narrowly defeated businessman Rob Mosbacher in a runoff election. His victory marked a major milestone in the political landscape of one of America’s largest and most diverse cities.

Eddie Robinson, legendary head coach of Grambling State University, coached his final football game on this day. Over a remarkable 57-year career (1941–1997), Robinson became the winningest coach in college football history at the time, with 408 victories.

He was not only a coaching icon but also a mentor to generations of young Black athletes, sending over 200 players to the NFL and influencing countless lives through education, discipline, and leadership. Robinson helped put HBCU football on the national map and remains a towering figure in the history of American sports.

Grace Bumbry, a renowned American opera singer, was celebrated for her exceptional talent and significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on January 4, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri, she gained international acclaim for her powerful mezzo-soprano and soprano performances. Bumbry’s illustrious career was marked by numerous groundbreaking achievements, including being the first African American singer to perform at the Bayreuth Festival in 1961, where she portrayed Venus in Wagner’s “Tannhäuser.”

Throughout her career, Bumbry was known for her dedication to humanitarian causes and participated in various benefit concerts aimed at addressing social issues. While specific details about her involvement in the “Artists to End Hunger” concert on December 6, 1981, are limited, her commitment to using her artistry to support charitable endeavors was a consistent theme in her life. In 1990, she founded the Grace Bumbry Black Musical Heritage Ensemble, a group devoted to preserving and performing traditional Negro spirituals, further showcasing her dedication to cultural and philanthropic initiatives.

Grace Bumbry’s legacy extends beyond her remarkable vocal performances; she remains an enduring symbol of artistic excellence and social responsibility.

On this day, Lewis Franklin Powell Jr. was confirmed as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. His nomination faced opposition from civil rights organizations, who raised concerns about his past opposition to school desegregation and lack of a strong record on civil rights. Despite the objections, Powell was confirmed by a vote of 89–1 and served on the Court until 1987. His tenure was marked by a moderate-conservative judicial philosophy, often casting pivotal swing votes on issues such as affirmative action and the death penalty.

Frantz Fanon, the Martinican-born psychiatrist, philosopher, revolutionary, and author, passed away from leukemia at age 36. He is best known for his seminal works Black Skin, White Masks (1952) and The Wretched of the Earth (1961), which explored the psychological effects of colonization and the path to liberation.

A fierce critic of colonialism and racism, Fanon became deeply involved in the Algerian War of Independence and served in the FLN (National Liberation Front). His writings remain foundational texts in post-colonial studies, Black consciousness movements, and global liberation struggles.

?On December 6, 1960, in Tucson, Arizona, approximately 500 store owners signed pledges committing to nondiscrimination practices. This collective action was a significant step toward promoting civil rights and equality within the local business community. ?

Additionally, during the same year, the Arizona Restaurant Association adopted an open seating policy in Tucson, further advancing efforts to eliminate racial segregation in public establishments. ?University of Maryland School of Law

These initiatives reflect the broader civil rights movement’s influence, as communities across the United States worked toward fostering inclusivity and equal treatment for all individuals.

Huddie William Ledbetter, famously known as Lead Belly, passed away on this day in 1949 at the age of 61. A master of the 12-string guitar, Lead Belly was a pioneering figure in American folk and blues music. His powerful voice and deep catalog of songs—including “Goodnight, Irene,” “Midnight Special,” and “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”—influenced generations of artists across genres.

Lead Belly’s music captured the struggles and spirit of African American life in the early 20th century, and his legacy continues to echo through blues, rock, and folk music today.

Dr. Theodore K. Lawless was born on December 6, 1892, in Thibodaux, Louisiana. He became a renowned dermatologist, medical researcher, and philanthropist. Specializing in skin diseases such as syphilis and leprosy, Lawless made groundbreaking contributions to the treatment of these conditions, especially among underserved populations.

He was also a trailblazer in the medical field as one of the first African Americans to gain international recognition for his research. Beyond medicine, Dr. Lawless was a major philanthropist, supporting education and healthcare initiatives in the U.S. and abroad, including in Israel and Ethiopia.

Sergeant Thomas Shaw, a member of the 9th Cavalry Regiment—one of the original Buffalo Soldier units—was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Indian Wars. His citation recognized his “gallantry in action” at Carrizo Canyon, New Mexico, on August 12, 1881. Shaw’s recognition highlights the valor and sacrifice of Black soldiers who served with distinction despite enduring racial discrimination and segregation in the U.S. military.

The 44th Congress of the United States (1875–1877) convened with a historic high of eight African American members, the largest number during the Reconstruction era.

• One U.S. Senator:

  • Blanche K. Bruce of Mississippi – the first African American to serve a full term in the Senate.

• Seven U.S. Representatives:

  • Jeremiah Haralson – Alabama

  • Josiah T. Walls – Florida

  • John R. Lynch – Mississippi

  • John A. Hyman – North Carolina

  • Charles E. Nash – Louisiana

  • Joseph H. Rainey – South Carolina

  • Robert Smalls – South Carolina

This moment marked a peak in Black political representation during Reconstruction, before the rise of Jim Crow laws would severely roll back these gains for nearly a century.

Pinckney Benton Stewart (P.B.S.) Pinchback was elected president pro tempore of the Louisiana State Senate on this day in 1871, and shortly after became acting lieutenant governor — the first African American to hold either position in a U.S. state government. A key figure during Reconstruction, Pinchback’s political leadership laid the groundwork for further Black participation in government.

The following year, he would go on to briefly serve as acting governor of Louisiana, making him the first African American to serve as governor of a U.S. state.

The first National Black Labor Convention convened in Washington, D.C., bringing together African American workers and leaders from across the country. Organized by prominent Black labor activist Isaac Myers, the convention aimed to address racial discrimination in trade unions, promote labor rights, and encourage Black economic self-sufficiency during the Reconstruction era.

The convention led to the formation of the National Labor Union of Colored People, advocating for fair wages, improved working conditions, and the inclusion of African Americans in skilled trades and organized labor movements.

On December 6, 1869, James H. Harris of North Carolina was elected President of the National Convention of Colored Men, a significant assembly dedicated to advocating for African American rights during the Reconstruction era.

James H. Harris (1832–1891) was a prominent African American politician and educator in North Carolina. Born in Granville County, he pursued education at Oberlin College in Ohio and later worked as a teacher for the New England Freedmen’s Aid Society. ?

Harris played a pivotal role in North Carolina’s political landscape during Reconstruction. He was a charter member of the state’s Republican Party and served in various capacities, including as a delegate to the 1868 constitutional convention, a state legislator in both the House (1868–1870, 1883) and Senate (1872–1874), and as a Raleigh city alderman. ?

His leadership extended to national platforms, exemplified by his presidency of the 1869 National Convention of Colored Men, where he led discussions and initiatives aimed at securing equal rights for African Americans. ?

Harris’s dedication to education, civil rights, and political activism left a lasting impact on both North Carolina and the broader struggle for African American equality in the United States.

On this day, Tougaloo College was established in Tougaloo, Mississippi, by the American Missionary Association. It became a center for African American higher education and civil rights activism.

The other institutions mentioned were also founded in the 19th century but on different dates:

• Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) – Founded in 1869 in Atlanta, Georgia, by the Freedmen’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

• Claflin University – Founded in 1869, in Orangeburg, South Carolina, by Methodist missionaries for the education of freed slaves.

• Dillard University – Formed much later in 1930 through the merger of two older institutions: Straight College (founded in 1869) and New Orleans University (founded in 1869), both in New Orleans.