Kenneth Bancroft Clark was born on July 24, 1914, and he went on to become a pioneering African American psychologist. Clark is best known for his work in social psychology, particularly his research on the effects of segregation on African American children. His most famous study, the “Doll Test,” was a groundbreaking experiment in which he showed that African American children, when given a choice between a white doll and a black doll, often preferred the white doll. This research helped to challenge the idea of “separate but equal” and was influential in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which led to the desegregation of schools in the United States.

Mary Church Terrell, a prominent African American activist and educator, passed away on July 24, 1954. She made history as one of the first Black women to serve on the Washington, D.C. Board of Education, an important milestone in the fight for racial equality and representation. Terrell was also a founding member of the National Association of Colored Women and a strong advocate for civil rights, women’s suffrage, and education reform.

Her work had a significant impact on advancing social justice, and she is remembered for her tireless advocacy for Black Americans, especially women and children.

Billy Taylor, the renowned jazz musician, was born on July 24, 1921, in Greenville, North Carolina. He became a significant figure in jazz, known for his work as a pianist, composer, and educator. Taylor was influential in shaping jazz music and had a career that spanned several decades. He also played a key role in promoting jazz through his work in education and as a television host. His contributions to jazz are highly regarded, and he helped bridge the gap between jazz and other music genres.

The Washington, D.C. Race Riot of July 1919 was one of the many racial disturbances that occurred during the summer of 1919, which became known as the “Red Summer.” These riots were a series of race-related violent outbreaks across the United States, fueled by racial tensions, competition for jobs, and the post-World War I environment.

In Washington, D.C., the violence erupted after an incident on July 19, when a white police officer arrested an African American man, sparking protests from the Black community. Tensions escalated over the next few days, and on July 24, riots broke out in the city. The violence resulted in the deaths of at least five African Americans and several white people, with many others injured. The National Guard had to be called in to restore order.

The riot highlighted the deep racial divisions in the city and reflected broader social and political unrest that characterized the Red Summer of 1919. This period saw numerous race riots in cities such as Chicago, Tulsa, and Elaine, as white supremacy and racial violence intensified, and Black communities, many of whom had recently migrated from the South, fought for better treatment, political representation, and civil rights.

Ira Aldridge, born on July 24, 1904, was a pioneering African American actor. He became one of the first black actors to gain prominence in Europe, particularly in the UK and Russia. Aldridge was renowned for his Shakespearean performances, notably as Othello, and was celebrated for his talent and trailblazing efforts in an era when racial barriers in the theater were especially rigid. His contributions to the arts helped open doors for future generations of actors, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.

The New Orleans race riot of 1900 occurred on July 24, 1900, as part of a period of heightened racial tension in the United States, especially in the South. It started after a black man, a dock worker named Robert Charles, allegedly shot and killed a police officer during a confrontation. The killing of the officer sparked outrage, and an angry white mob took to the streets, targeting Black residents in retaliation.

The riot resulted in the deaths of several people, including both Black and white individuals. Some estimates suggest that at least 28 people died during the event, though the true number is uncertain. Many others were injured, and Black residents of New Orleans experienced widespread violence, including homes and businesses being looted or destroyed.

The riot was significant in that it reflected the deeply entrenched racial animosity and the practice of racial segregation that existed in the South at the time. It also illustrated the growing tensions between Black residents and white authorities, a theme that would persist throughout the early 20th century.

This event is sometimes overshadowed in the broader historical narrative but remains a notable example of racial violence in New Orleans during the Jim Crow era.

On July 24, 1866, Congress passed a resolution readmitting Tennessee to the Union following the Civil War. Tennessee had been the first state to secede from the Union in 1861, but it was also the first to be readmitted after the war ended. This resolution marked a significant step in the Reconstruction era, which aimed to rebuild and reintegrate the Southern states that had seceded. Tennessee’s readmission paved the way for the eventual reintegration of other former Confederate states.

Alexandre Dumas was born on July 24, 1802, in Villers-Cotterêts, France to a Haitian mulatto, Thomas Alexandre Dumas, and Marie Labouret Dumas, a French woman.. He’s best known for writing The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo, two iconic adventure novels that have captivated readers for generations. Dumas was a prolific writer, producing numerous works in various genres, and his stories continue to influence popular culture today.