On this date in 1972, during the Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach, Florida, Shirley Chisholm made history by becoming the first African American woman to seek the presidential nomination of a major political party. She received 151.95 delegate votes on the first ballot, placing her fourth among the candidates.
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Chisholm’s campaign was groundbreaking, as she was the first Black woman to run for the Democratic nomination. Her slogan, “Unbought and Unbossed,” reflected her commitment to representing marginalized communities.
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Despite facing significant challenges, including limited campaign funding and resistance from some male colleagues, Chisholm’s candidacy inspired many and paved the way for future generations of women and minorities in politics.
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On this date in 1972, the Bureau of Census report from this date, highlighted several significant socio-economic disparities between Black and white populations in the United States. It showed that in 1971, the unemployment rate for Black Americans was notably higher at 9.9% compared to 5.4% for whites, underscoring the economic challenges faced by Black communities during that time.

Additionally, the report revealed that a growing proportion of Black families were headed by women, with 31.8% of Black families falling into this category in 1971. This was an increase from 28% in 1970, suggesting a shift in family structures within the Black community. This could have reflected both socio-economic factors and broader social changes, including economic pressures, cultural shifts, and evolving gender roles.

These statistics provide a snapshot of the racial and economic inequalities that were prevalent in the U.S. during the early 1970s.

On this date in 1965, Thurgood Marshall was appointed as the first Black solicitor general of the United States. He served as Solicitor General under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Marshall was an important figure in American history, known for his work as a civil rights lawyer and his groundbreaking role as the first African American Supreme Court justice, a position he would later take up in 1967. Before becoming Solicitor General, he had a significant legal career, including arguing landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education before the U.S. Supreme Court, which led to the desegregation of public schools.

On this date in 1919, during the “Red Summer” of 1919 was a period of intense racial violence and unrest in the United States, where race riots broke out in various cities across the country, largely in response to racial tensions, competition for jobs, and the aftermath of World War I. The events in Longview and Gregg counties in Texas were part of this larger wave of violence.

On July 13, 1919, the Longview race riot occurred after a white man was killed, allegedly by a Black man, which led to violence. White mobs targeted Black residents and businesses, resulting in deaths, property destruction, and general chaos. The local government responded by declaring martial law, hoping to restore order. It is believed that at least one person died, though some reports indicate the death toll may have been higher.

This was one of the 26 major riots that occurred during the Red Summer of 1919, highlighting the racial tensions in the post-war United States. The summer saw violent clashes, often sparked by rumors, and in many cases, white mobs attacking Black communities. It was a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for racial justice during the early 20th century.

On this date in 1868, the Alabama Legislature convened in Montgomery, marking a significant moment in American history. This was the first legislative session after the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, with a notable composition: 26 African American legislators and 106 white legislators. The inclusion of Black lawmakers was a result of the Reconstruction period, which sought to integrate freed slaves into society and politics, following the passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

This session was a significant step toward political and social equality for African Americans, but it also faced strong opposition from white Southerners. The era would eventually give way to the Jim Crow laws, which sought to disenfranchise Black voters and strip away the civil rights gains made during Reconstruction. Despite this, the 1868 Alabama legislature was a notable moment in the struggle for racial equality in America.

On this date in 1868, Oscar J. Dunn, a former slave, formally installed as lieutenant governor of Louisiana, the highest elective officer held to date by an American Black. Antoine Dubuclet was installed as state treasurer.

Oscar J. Dunn was a remarkable figure in American history, particularly in the Reconstruction era. His installation as lieutenant governor of Louisiana marked a major achievement for Black Americans during a time of considerable racial tension and change. Dunn was born a slave but rose to prominence in New Orleans, later becoming an influential political figure after the Civil War.

Antoine Dubuclet, who was installed as state treasurer of Louisiana alongside Dunn, was another significant figure. Dubuclet was a former enslaved person who also became successful and prominent in post-war Louisiana politics.

Their roles demonstrated the expanding political power of Black Americans during Reconstruction, even though that progress faced significant resistance in the years that followed.

On this date in 1863, the New York Draft Riots of 1863 were a violent and tragic expression of racial and class tensions. The riots erupted due to growing resentment over the Civil War draft, which many working-class white men saw as unfair, especially since wealthy individuals could pay for substitutes to take their place. This led to anger at both the government and African Americans, whom many blamed for the war and saw as potential competition for jobs, particularly as free Blacks were being recruited into the Union Army.

The rioters primarily targeted Black communities, with devastating results. African Americans were brutally attacked, lynched, and many homes and businesses were destroyed. It’s estimated that over 100 people were killed during the riot, with the majority of victims being Black. The rioting lasted for several days before authorities were able to restore order, but the social and racial divisions exposed by the violence had long-lasting effects.

The New York Draft Riots highlighted the deep racial and economic divisions within the country, and they remain a stark reminder of the challenges in the fight for racial equality during the Civil War era.

On this date in 1863, the “Enrollment Act” (mandatory draft) takes effect, with exemption for the wealthy, which led to summer draft riots in New York and other major northern cities (Newark & Jersey City, New Jersey; Toledo, Ohio; Evansville, Illinois and Boston, Massachusetts).

The Enrollment Act of 1863, also known as the Conscription Act, was a pivotal piece of legislation during the American Civil War. It authorized the federal government to draft men into military service, initially targeting men between the ages of 20 and 45. However, the act allowed wealthier individuals to pay $300 (equivalent to a significant sum at the time) to avoid service, which created a severe disparity. This led to resentment, particularly among the working class and the poor, who were disproportionately affected by the draft.

In New York City, the most notable and violent riots occurred in July 1863. The New York City Draft Riots were fueled by frustration with the draft system, racial tensions, and economic hardships. For several days, the city descended into chaos, with protesters attacking draft offices, police stations, and African American neighborhoods. The riots were brutally suppressed by the military, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries. Other cities, including Newark, Jersey City, and Toledo, also saw instances of unrest, although none reached the scale of the violence in New York.

The Enrollment Act marked a significant moment in Civil War history, not only because of the draft but also because it highlighted the deep divisions within Northern society.

On this date in 1863, during the Civil War era in the United States, a violent mob of white rioters destroyed the Colored Orphan Asylum in New York City. This incident took place during the New York City Draft Riots, which were sparked by the implementation of a draft to enlist men for the Union Army. Many working-class white men, particularly Irish immigrants, were angry at being drafted and also resentful of black people, whom they blamed for taking jobs.

The riot, which lasted several days, was marked by extreme violence. The mob attacked black neighborhoods, businesses, and institutions. The Colored Orphan Asylum, which housed around 230 African American children, was set on fire and looted. Fortunately, most of the children were safely evacuated before the destruction.

This tragic event is a stark reminder of the racial tensions and unrest that existed in Northern cities during the Civil War, despite the Union’s fight against slavery. The incident also highlighted the vulnerability of African American institutions and the deeply entrenched racism in society at the time.

On this date in 1787, the Continental Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance, which effectively excluded slavery from the Northwest Territory. This ordinance created a framework for governing the territory that would later become the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. It established that “there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory,” marking a significant step toward limiting the expansion of slavery in the United States. This was an important milestone in the nation’s evolving stance on slavery.