On this date in 1868, Francis L. Cardozo was installed as Secretary of State of South Carolina, making him the first Black person to hold a statewide cabinet position in the United States.

Cardozo was a significant figure during the Reconstruction era. He was highly educated, having studied at the University of Glasgow and in London before returning to the U.S. to advocate for education and civil rights. After serving as Secretary of State, he later became State Treasurer of South Carolina, where he worked to reform financial corruption.

On this date in 1979, Dr. Walter E. Massey was appointed as the director of Argonne National Laboratory, making him the first African American to hold this position. Argonne, one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s premier research facilities, focuses on cutting-edge scientific research in energy, materials science, and national security.

Dr. Massey, a physicist, had an impressive career in academia, government, and industry. Before leading Argonne, he conducted research in theoretical physics and worked at various institutions. Later in his career, he became the president of Morehouse College and held leadership roles in organizations like the National Science Foundation and Bank of America.

On this date in 1955, E. Frederic Morrow became the first Black person to hold an executive position in the White House. He served as an Administrative Officer for Special Projects under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. His role involved advising on civil rights issues and helping shape policy discussions at a crucial time in American history.

Morrow later documented his experiences in the book Black Man in the White House (1963), offering insights into the challenges he faced as a trailblazer in the federal government.

On this date in 1927, Attorney William T. Francis was appointed U.S. Minister to Liberia by President Calvin Coolidge. This was a significant appointment, as Francis was an African American lawyer and civil rights advocate from Minnesota.

His tenure in Liberia was notable for his efforts to address issues of forced labor and human rights violations. Unfortunately, while in Liberia, he contracted yellow fever and passed away in 1929. His work, however, remains an important part of both U.S. diplomatic history and African American history.

On this date in 1901, Jester Hairston was born. He was an American composer, songwriter, choral conductor, and actor. He is best known for his work in spirituals and gospel music, as well as for his acting roles in film and television. One of his most famous compositions is Amen, which was featured in the film Lilies of the Field (1963), starring Sidney Poitier.

He also had a long career in Hollywood, often serving as a composer and arranger for film soundtracks, and he appeared in several TV shows, including Amen (1986–1991), in which he played Rolly Forbes and for his work on Amos ‘n’ Andy.

On this date in 1863, the siege of Port Hudson was a significant moment in the Civil War. After a long and grueling siege that lasted from May 22 to July 9, 1863, Union forces, under General Nathaniel P. Banks, finally forced the surrender of the Confederate garrison at Port Hudson, Louisiana. This victory, coupled with the fall of Vicksburg just days earlier on July 4, gave the Union full control of the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Confederacy in two and disrupting their supply lines.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the siege was the role played by African American troops. Eight Black regiments participated, marking one of the first times that Black soldiers saw extensive combat in the war. The 1st and 3rd Louisiana Native Guard, composed mainly of formerly enslaved and free Black men, demonstrated incredible bravery in direct assaults against Confederate defenses, proving their combat effectiveness and challenging racist assumptions of the time.

Their actions at Port Hudson helped pave the way for broader acceptance of Black soldiers in the Union Army, leading to the formation of more United States Colored Troops (USCT) regiments. It was a turning point in the war, both strategically and socially.

On this date in 1972 Democratic National Convention opened, in Miami Beach, Florida. It was a historic convention, with Black delegates making up 15% of the total—a reflection of the increasing influence of African Americans in the Democratic Party following the civil rights movement.

During the nomination process, Senator George S. McGovern of South Dakota won the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, defeating several rivals, including former Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Senator Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson, and Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm of New York.

Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for a major party’s presidential nomination, made history with her campaign. She received 151.95 delegate votes out of over 2,000 ballots on the first roll call—an impressive achievement for a candidate who faced both racial and gender barriers.

McGovern went on to select Senator Thomas Eagleton as his running mate, though Eagleton was later replaced by Sargent Shriver after revelations about his mental health treatment. In the general election, McGovern lost in a landslide to President Richard Nixon.

On this date in 1962, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested during a protest in Albany, Georgia, as part of the Albany Movement, a campaign to end racial segregation and discrimination in the city. The movement, which began in late 1961, was led by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the NAACP, and local Black leaders.

Dr. King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) joined the movement to support its efforts. However, Albany police chief Laurie Pritchett employed a strategy of mass arrests without violence, preventing the kind of dramatic confrontations that often drew national attention. This tactic made it difficult for the movement to gain widespread sympathy and pressure federal intervention.

King’s arrest was part of multiple detentions in Albany, and he was eventually released from jail after a fine was paid anonymously. The Albany Movement was considered a learning experience for King, shaping his later, more successful strategies in Birmingham (1963) and Selma (1965).