John V. DeGrasse was indeed admitted to the Massachusetts Medical Society on August 24, 1854. The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) is one of the oldest and most prominent medical organizations in the United States. Membership often required a certain level of education, experience, and contributions to the medical field, reflecting the individual’s standing in the medical community.

On August 24, 1950, Edith Sampson, a Chicago attorney, made history as the first Black representative (alternate delegate) in the U.S. delegation to the United Nations. She was a pioneering lawyer, civil rights advocate, and diplomat, breaking racial and gender barriers throughout her career.

Sampson’s appointment was a significant milestone, as it reflected a shift toward greater inclusivity in U.S. diplomacy during the early years of the Cold War. She used her platform at the UN to promote democracy and challenge Soviet propaganda about racial inequality in America. Later, she continued to break barriers by becoming the first Black woman elected as a judge in the U.S.

The National Emigration Convention held on August 24, 1854, in Cleveland, was an important gathering of African American leaders and activists who debated the future of Black emigration from the United States. With approximately one hundred delegates in attendance, the convention sought solutions to racial discrimination, disenfranchisement, and limited economic opportunities in the U.S.

William C. Munroe of Michigan, a strong advocate for Black self-determination and emigration, was elected president of the convention. The meeting reflected the growing interest among African Americans in seeking opportunities abroad, particularly in Canada, the Caribbean, and Africa, as alternatives to systemic oppression in the United States.