On August 18, 1989, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a leading anti-apartheid activist in South Africa, defied apartheid laws by delivering a sermon in defiance of the government’s restrictions. He had been banned from speaking publicly in certain areas due to his outspoken opposition to the apartheid regime. However, Tutu made a bold statement by continuing his fight for justice and equality, using his platform to call for an end to the discriminatory laws and to push for reconciliation.

His defiance was an act of civil disobedience that became part of the larger struggle against apartheid. Tutu’s leadership and moral authority made him one of the most influential voices in the global movement to dismantle apartheid and secure rights for South Africa’s black population.

On August 18, 1963, youth members of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Council in Oklahoma City began a series of sit-ins at lunch counters in the city’s downtown area. These sit-ins were part of the broader Civil Rights Movement and were aimed at protesting segregation, particularly in public spaces like lunch counters, where African Americans were often denied service. The protestors were inspired by similar actions across the country, especially the sit-ins that had taken place earlier in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960.

In Oklahoma City, the youth led by the NAACP Council faced hostility but remained committed to non-violent protest. Their actions were part of a larger wave of civil rights activism that sought to challenge systemic racism and demand equal treatment for African Americans in all aspects of public life. The Oklahoma City sit-ins contributed to the ongoing momentum for civil rights, culminating in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

On August 19, 1958, a series of sit-ins took place at lunch counters in Oklahoma City, marking a significant event in the Civil Rights Movement. This action was part of a broader movement of nonviolent protests that aimed to challenge racial segregation, particularly in public spaces like restaurants and lunch counters.

The sit-ins in Oklahoma City were initiated by a group of African American college students. They sought to desegregate the lunch counters at various stores, such as Katz Drugstore, which were traditionally reserved for white customers. The protesters, mostly young people, sat at the counters and refused to leave when asked, maintaining a peaceful presence in an act of civil disobedience.

This event was inspired by similar sit-ins that had occurred earlier, especially the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins in North Carolina. While the Oklahoma City sit-ins did not immediately result in desegregation, they contributed to the momentum of the national civil rights movement and helped to highlight the injustices of segregation in public spaces. Over time, the persistence of such protests helped to bring about significant changes in laws and attitudes toward racial segregation in the United States.

The Oklahoma City sit-ins were an important moment in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, showcasing the power of nonviolent resistance and setting the stage for further actions across the country.

On August 19, 1954, Ralph J. Bunche was named Undersecretary-General of the United Nations. Bunche was an influential African American diplomat and a key figure in the UN’s peacekeeping efforts. Prior to this appointment, he had already made significant contributions to international diplomacy, most notably as a mediator during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His appointment as Undersecretary-General marked a historic moment as he became one of the highest-ranking officials in the United Nations, showcasing the growing prominence of African Americans in global diplomacy.

On August 19, 1950, Edith Sampson made history as the first African American woman to be appointed as a representative to the United Nations. She was appointed by President Harry S. Truman and served as an alternate delegate to the UN’s Economic and Social Council. Sampson was a lawyer and a strong advocate for civil rights and racial equality. Her appointment was an important milestone, not only for African Americans but also for women in diplomacy and international relations.

Charles F. Bolden Jr. was born on August 19, 1946, in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Marine Corps major general. Bolden flew on four Space Shuttle missions and became the administrator of NASA in 2009, serving in this capacity until 2017. His leadership and contributions to the space program have had a significant impact, especially in promoting space exploration and STEM education.

On August 19, 1926, Theodore “Tiger” Flowers successfully defended his world middleweight title by defeating former champion Harry Greb in a 15-round bout at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

This victory marked Flowers’ second win over Greb, having previously defeated him on February 26, 1926, to claim the title.

Flowers’ triumphs over Greb were significant, as Greb was renowned for his relentless fighting style and had only been defeated five times in his career.

These victories solidified Flowers’ legacy as a pioneering African American boxer in the early 20th century.

On August 19, 1791, Benjamin Banneker, a self-taught African American mathematician, astronomer, and writer, wrote a powerful letter to Thomas Jefferson. At the time, Jefferson was serving as the Secretary of State under President George Washington. In his letter, Banneker pointed out the contradiction between Jefferson’s advocacy for liberty and equality in the Declaration of Independence and the continued existence of slavery in the United States.

Banneker, who had a reputation for his intellectual accomplishments despite being born into slavery, used his letter to appeal to Jefferson’s sense of justice. He argued that the same rights and freedoms Jefferson championed for white Americans should be equally extended to African Americans, who were still enslaved at that time.

The letter was a significant moment in the abolitionist movement, as it called attention to the hypocrisy of a nation that professed liberty while denying it to enslaved people. Banneker also included a copy of his astronomical almanac as proof of his intellectual capabilities, effectively challenging the racial stereotypes of his time.

This letter stands as a bold and eloquent plea for justice and equality, demonstrating Banneker’s commitment to civil rights long before the abolition of slavery.