On May 9, 1750, The South Carolina Gazette reported that an enslaved African man named Caesar, known for his expertise in herbal medicine, was granted freedom and a lifetime pension by the colonial government. Caesar had developed antidotes for poison, rattlesnake bites, and yaws—an infectious tropical disease. His remedies were so effective that South Carolina’s government published his formulas for public health use. In return, Caesar was not only emancipated but also given an annual financial stipend.
He is recognized alongside James Derham of New Orleans as one of the earliest documented African American medical practitioners in U.S. history. Caesar’s contributions highlight the overlooked medical knowledge of enslaved Africans and the role they played in early American health care.

On May 9, 1977, Dr. Mabel Murphy Smythe was confirmed as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon, becoming one of the few African American women to hold such a prestigious diplomatic position at the time. A distinguished scholar and former university professor, Smythe had previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Her appointment reflected growing, though still limited, recognition of Black women in U.S. foreign policy. She later also served as Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, further cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in international diplomacy.

On May 9, 1974, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee began historic impeachment hearings to determine whether to recommend the removal of President Richard Nixon over the Watergate scandal. Among the 38 committee members were two trailblazing African American legislators: Representative Barbara Jordan of Texas and Representative John Conyers Jr. of Michigan. Their presence marked a profound moment in American democracy—not only were they contributing to a pivotal constitutional process, but they also represented the evolving role of Black leadership in government oversight. Jordan, in particular, would later deliver a landmark televised speech affirming the principles of the Constitution, becoming an icon of integrity and justice.

On May 9, 1952, pioneering African American actor Canada Lee died in New York City at the age of 45. A former boxer turned acclaimed actor, Lee broke racial barriers on stage and screen during an era of intense segregation. He rose to prominence for his role in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1944 film Lifeboat, where his nuanced performance challenged stereotypes in Hollywood.

In the 1947 classic Body and Soul, Lee portrayed a former boxer battling illness—a role that showcased his emotional range and resonated deeply with audiences. Beyond acting, Lee was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and refused to play roles that demeaned Black people. His political activism drew the attention of the FBI and led to blacklisting during the McCarthy era, which contributed to the decline of his career and health. Despite these challenges, Canada Lee is remembered as a trailblazer who used art as a tool for dignity, justice, and change.

On May 9, 1919, celebrated African American composer and military bandleader James Reese Europe was tragically killed in Boston by a fellow band member during a performance tour. Europe had risen to international acclaim during World War I as the leader of the 369th Infantry Regiment’s “Hellfighters” military band—an all-Black unit that introduced jazz to France and much of Europe. His innovative compositions and performances helped legitimize jazz as a serious musical form. At just 39 years old, Europe’s untimely death shocked the music world. W.E.B. Du Bois later called him “the first to personify the expression of a new and vital race consciousness.”

On May 9, 1867, Sojourner Truth—abolitionist, feminist, and former enslaved woman—delivered a stirring speech at the First Annual Meeting of the American Equal Rights Association (AERA) in New York. In a moment that blended moral clarity with powerful oratory, Truth advocated for the political and civil rights of both women and African Americans, insisting that the fight for equality must be inclusive of all people, regardless of race or gender.

Her words challenged the rising divisions between suffrage movements and abolitionist causes following the Civil War, urging unity in the pursuit of human rights. As one of the few Black women consistently speaking in both racial and gender justice arenas, Sojourner Truth’s presence at the event remains a defining moment in intersectional activism in 19th-century America.

On May 9, 1862, Union General David Hunter issued General Order No. 11, declaring the emancipation of all enslaved people in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina—states under Union occupation during the Civil War. The bold move was unprecedented and ignited national debate. However, President Abraham Lincoln swiftly annulled the proclamation, concerned that such an act should come from the executive branch and not military command.

Lincoln remarked, “General Hunter is an honest man… He proclaimed all men free within certain states. I repudiated the proclamation.” Though Hunter’s order was rescinded, it foreshadowed the Emancipation Proclamation issued just months later, and spotlighted the moral urgency felt by abolitionist generals in the field.

On May 9, 1800, John Brown was born in Torrington, Connecticut. Though not Black himself, Brown became one of the most radical and committed white allies in the fight to end slavery in the United States. He believed slavery was a moral abomination that required direct, even violent, resistance. His most infamous act was the 1859 raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, an attempt to incite a slave rebellion. Though the raid failed and Brown was executed, his actions inspired countless abolitionists and further intensified the national debate over slavery—paving the road to the Civil War. Frederick Douglass once called him “a man who had no fear.”