Tiger Woods wins U. S. Open Gold Tournament.

United States Supreme Court rules that the suspension of Clayton Powel Jr. from the House of Representatives was unconstitutional.

ON this day in 1812,the United States declared war on Britain War. Although the U.S. Army did not enlist African Americans after the Revolutionary War, the U.S. Navy continued to use African Americans as seamen because of the perennial shortage of white sailors. The African American presence in the navy placed them at the center of the naval incident that led to the War of 1812. In 1807 the British frigate Leopard shelled the USS Chesapeake to locate four escaped British sailors. When the Chesapeake yielded and the British boarded the American ship, they took into custody four sailors, three of whom are William Ware, Daniel Martin, and John Strachan were African Americans previously impressed by the British. Although it was obvious that these men were Americans, the British refused to return them for four years, inciting American public opinion and leading President Thomas Jefferson to close American harbors to British ship. The U.S. could not go to war then because it lacked a serious navy, but the seeds of resentment were sown, and in June 1812 the United States declared war on Britain, citing the impressments of American citizens as a principal reason for going to war.

ON this day in 1976, Hector Petersen, a 13 year old Soweto schoolboy is the first to die in what will become the “Children’s Crusade”, the first nationwide black South African uprising in the 1970’s. The violence will last 16 month and result in 5700 death, 3,900 injuries, and 5,900 detentions.

On this day in 1975, Adam Wade hosts the Nationally televised game show Musical Chairs. He is the first African American game show host.

On this day in 1971, Racial disturbance, Jacksonville, Florida.

On this day in 1970, Race riot, Miami, Florida.

On this day in 1970, Kenneth A Gibson elected the first African American mayor of Newark. In 1976, he will be elected the first African American president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

On this day in 1943, Race riot, Beaumont, Texas. Two killed.

On this day in 1964, Siege of Petersburg and Richmond began. Thirty-two Black infantry regiments and Black cavalry regiments were involved in siege. Black troops were especially prominent in following engagements: Deep Bottom, August 14-16; Darbytown Road, October 13; Fair Oaks, October 27-28; Hatcher’s Run, October 27-28.