Dr. George R. Carruthers, an African American physicist and inventor, was granted a patent for the Image Converter, a device that helped detect electromagnetic radiation in short wavelengths—particularly ultraviolet light. This invention played a key role in space-based astronomical research and was later used during NASA’s Apollo 16 mission in 1972 to capture the first images of Earth’s outermost atmosphere.

Carruthers’ work significantly advanced space science and astrophysics, making him a pioneer in ultraviolet astronomy.

The Civil Rights Memorial, designed by renowned artist Maya Lin, was dedicated in Montgomery, Alabama to honor the memory of 40 individuals who died during the American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968). Commissioned by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the memorial features a circular black granite table inscribed with the names of martyrs and key events, inspired by a paraphrase of Amos 5:24:

“Until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Located just a few blocks from the Alabama State Capitol, the memorial stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance, reflection, and a call to continue the struggle for justice and equality.

The Bethune Museum and Archives was founded on this day as the first institution in the United States dedicated to African American women’s history. Located in Washington, D.C., the museum honors the life and legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune—educator, stateswoman, and founder of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). The museum served as a depository of historical records, photographs, and memorabilia highlighting the achievements of Black women across generations.

After centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, Angola declared its independence on November 11, 1975. The independence movement was led by liberation groups such as the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola), with support from other African nations and the global anti-colonial movement. However, independence also marked the beginning of a prolonged civil war that lasted until 2002, heavily influenced by Cold War politics. Despite the challenges, Angola’s independence was a significant moment in the broader decolonization of Africa.

On this day, Louis Armstrong recorded the first of his legendary Hot Five and later Hot Seven recordings in Chicago. These sessions are widely considered some of the most influential jazz recordings of all time.

With these recordings, Armstrong shifted jazz from a group-based, ensemble style to a soloist’s art form, showcasing his virtuosic trumpet playing, rhythmic innovation, and improvisational genius. Classics like “Heebie Jeebies”, “West End Blues”, and “Potato Head Blues” came out of these sessions, leaving an enduring mark on American music.

Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically Black Roman Catholic university in the United States, was founded on this day in New Orleans. Established by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the university was created to provide quality education to African American students during a time of deep racial segregation. Xavier has since become nationally recognized for placing more African American students into medical school than any other U.S. institution.

James Weldon Johnson, a distinguished author, diplomat, and civil rights leader, was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP in 1925 for his outstanding contributions. While the specific date of the award ceremony is not widely documented, some sources suggest it occurred on November 11, 1925. ?

About James Weldon Johnson:

• Diplomatic Service: He served as the U.S. consul in Venezuela and Nicaragua, showcasing his commitment to public service on an international scale.?

• NAACP Leadership: As the executive secretary of the NAACP, Johnson played a pivotal role in advocating for civil rights and advancing the organization’s mission.?

• Literary Contributions: An accomplished author, he penned works that highlighted African American culture and struggles, including the lyrics to “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem.?

The Spingarn Medal, established in 1914 by Joel Elias Spingarn, is awarded annually by the NAACP to honor the highest achievement by an African American. Johnson’s receipt of this medal underscores his multifaceted contributions to literature, diplomacy, and civil rights.

On this day, the armistice was signed, ending World War I. Official U.S. military records show that approximately 370,000 African American soldiers served during the war, with over 1,400 Black commissioned officers. A little more than half of these troops served in the European Theater.

Three all-Black regiments — the 369th, 371st, and 372nd Infantry Regiments — were awarded the Croix de Guerre, France’s highest military honor, for their extraordinary bravery and valor in combat. The 369th Infantry Regiment, famously known as the Harlem Hellfighters, was the first African American regiment to serve with the American Expeditionary Forces. They spent more time in continuous combat than any other American unit and were widely celebrated for their courage and effectiveness on the battlefield.

D. McCree, an African American inventor, was granted U.S. Patent No. 440,322 for a portable fire escape. His design focused on improving public safety by offering a collapsible and easily deployable means of escape during building fires. McCree’s invention added to a growing legacy of Black inventors who developed practical technologies that improved everyday life, especially in urban environments.

Nat Turner, an enslaved preacher and leader of one of the most significant slave rebellions in American history, was executed by hanging in Jerusalem, Virginia. The Southampton Insurrection, which began on August 21, 1831, resulted in the deaths of around 60 white slaveholders and sparked widespread fear throughout the South. In retaliation, hundreds of Black people—many uninvolved in the revolt—were killed by white militias.

Though his rebellion was suppressed, Nat Turner became a symbol of resistance to slavery and a martyr in the fight for Black liberation. Turner’s revolt intensified the national debate over slavery and led to harsher laws against enslaved and free Black people. His legacy continues to resonate in conversations about freedom, justice, and rebellion against oppression.