On this day, thirteen African American members of the U.S. House of Representatives formally organized the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). The caucus was established to unify Black members of Congress and amplify their legislative priorities, with a mission to address the concerns of African Americans and underserved communities. Founding members included Shirley Chisholm, Charles Rangel, and John Conyers. The CBC has since grown in size and influence, playing a critical role in American politics.

Lorraine Hansberry, acclaimed author and playwright, passed away at the age of 34. She was best known for A Raisin in the Sun (1959), the first play by a Black woman to be produced on Broadway. Hansberry’s work addressed racial injustice, feminism, and the struggles of Black families in America, leaving a lasting legacy in American theater and civil rights discourse.

Jacques Dominique Wilkins, Hall of Fame basketball player, was born in Paris, France. Known for his scoring ability and highlight-reel dunks, Wilkins became an NBA legend, primarily with the Atlanta Hawks. Though born in France, he was raised in North Carolina and represented the U.S. in international competitions.

On this day, the University of Tennessee admitted its first Black student, marking a pivotal moment in the desegregation of higher education in the American South. This milestone came amidst growing pressure to dismantle segregation in public institutions following landmark legal battles and civil rights activism.

On this day, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Sipuel v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma that states must provide equal educational opportunities to Black students. The case was brought by Ada Lois Sipuel, a young Black woman who had been denied admission to the University of Oklahoma’s law school solely because of her race.

The Court unanimously held that the state must provide legal education for African Americans that was equal to that provided for white students. This ruling was a significant early step in the dismantling of segregation in higher education, paving the way for Brown v. Board of Education just a few years later.

Sipuel’s courageous stand and the Court’s decision became a landmark moment in the struggle for civil rights and educational equity in the United States.

Joe Frazier, Olympic gold medalist and heavyweight boxing champion, was born in Beaufort, South Carolina. Known for his relentless fighting style and powerful left hook, Frazier became a boxing legend, famously facing Muhammad Ali in the iconic “Fight of the Century” in 1971. Frazier was a 1964 Olympic gold medalist who won the heavyweight championship in 1968. His legacy remains integral to the history of boxing and African American athletic excellence.

Born in Marshall, Texas, James Farmer was a key figure in the American civil rights movement. He co-founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), which pioneered the use of nonviolent protest to challenge segregation and discrimination. Farmer was also one of the “Big Four” civil rights leaders and organized the 1961 Freedom Rides.

Mordecai Wyatt Johnson, a prominent educator and minister, was born on this day in Paris, Tennessee. He became the first Black president of Howard University, serving from 1926 to 1960. Under his leadership, the university expanded its academic programs and gained national prominence as a center for African American intellectual life. Johnson was also an influential voice in civil rights, advocating for racial justice and educational opportunity.