On August 13, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the Government Contract Compliance Committee. This committee was created to ensure that federal contractors were complying with nondiscrimination policies in their hiring practices, particularly related to race, religion, and national origin.

It was an important step towards promoting fairness and equal opportunity in the workplace, as it aimed to make sure that contractors doing business with the U.S. government were adhering to civil rights standards. The committee laid the groundwork for more formalized efforts that would come in later decades, including affirmative action and broader civil rights enforcement.

Kathleen Battle, the celebrated operatic soprano, was born on August 13, 1948, in Portsmouth, Ohio. She is known for her stunning voice and has won Grammy Awards in 1987 and 1988 for her exceptional vocal performances. Battle has performed on many of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and is particularly renowned for her interpretations of the operatic repertoire, especially in the works of Mozart and Handel.

Charles Edward Anderson, born on August 13, 1919, was an influential American meteorologist. He is particularly known for his pioneering work in weather prediction and meteorology during the mid-20th century. Anderson contributed significantly to the development of weather radar technology and advancements in atmospheric science, helping to enhance weather forecasting techniques that are still in use today. His work made a lasting impact on both military and civilian meteorological operations.

On August 13, 1906, an incident known as the Brownsville Raid occurred in Brownsville, Texas, involving a group of African American soldiers from the 25th Infantry Regiment. In this incident, these soldiers, likely retaliating for racial insults and constant harassment, went on a rampage. They shot and killed a white man while wounding two others.

The soldiers involved were stationed at Fort Brown, and the incident led to the dismissal of 167 men from the regiment. Despite their protests and claims of innocence, none were ever convicted of the crime, but the military accused them collectively and dishonorably discharged them. The Brownsville Raid remains a significant and controversial event in U.S. military history, especially because of the racial tensions and the subsequent injustice against the soldiers involved.

It wasn’t until 1972 that the dishonorable discharges were overturned, and the soldiers were posthumously exonerated, though many had died by then.

On August 13, 1892, the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper published its first issue. Founded by John H. Murphy Sr., it quickly became one of the most influential African American newspapers in the country. The paper was dedicated to covering issues important to the African American community, such as civil rights, social justice, and racial equality. Over the years, it played a significant role in advocating for the rights of Black Americans and became an important voice in the African American press.

On August 13, 1881, Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, established the first African American nursing school. This was a significant moment in history, as it provided African American women with the opportunity to pursue a career in nursing during a time of racial segregation and limited educational opportunities for Black people. Spelman’s nursing program played a key role in advancing the field of healthcare for African Americans, and it paved the way for many other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to follow suit in providing higher education to Black students.