The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, where Blacks were used in experiments with syphilis, admitted to by US government officials, 1972

On July 24, 2002, Black Enterprise publisher Earl G. Graves, along with basketball legend Magic Johnson, signed an agreement to purchase Pepsi-Cola of Washington, D.C. This deal made them the owners of the largest minority-controlled Pepsi-Cola franchise in the United States at that time. The acquisition was significant not only because it demonstrated the growing influence of African American entrepreneurs in corporate America but also as a strategic move to expand their business portfolios.

On July 24, 1992, General Colin Powell, who was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time, dedicated the Buffalo Soldiers Monument at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The monument honors the contributions and legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers, African American military units that served in the U.S. Army, particularly during the post-Civil War era. The Buffalo Soldiers were instrumental in the Indian Wars, protecting settlers, building infrastructure, and preserving national parks in the American West. The dedication of this monument was an important moment in recognizing the historical significance and valor of these soldiers.

On July 25, 1991, Dennis Hightower was appointed as the president of Disney Consumer Products for the Europe and Middle East regions. Hightower had a distinguished career with Disney, and his promotion marked a significant step in the company’s expansion and efforts to grow its consumer products division internationally. His leadership helped to strengthen Disney’s presence in global markets.

On July 25, 1972, the U.S. government admitted to the existence of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, a medical study that began in 1932. In this experiment, the U.S. Public Health Service studied the natural progression of syphilis in African American men in Tuskegee, Alabama, without informing them of their diagnosis or providing treatment, even after penicillin became the standard and effective treatment for the disease in the 1940s. The study continued for 40 years, with participants denied proper medical care, and it was only publicly revealed in 1972, leading to outrage and significant changes in medical ethics.

In response to this scandal, the U.S. government implemented stronger regulations on human medical research, including informed consent, and established new ethical standards. The Tuskegee study is one of the most infamous examples of medical exploitation and remains a critical chapter in the history of medical ethics and African American distrust of the healthcare system.

The Moore’s Ford Lynching occurred on July 25, 1946, in Walton County, Georgia. It was a horrific and racially charged event in which two African American couples, George and Mae Murray Dorsey and Roger and Dorothy Malcom, were brutally murdered by a mob. The Dorseys and Malcoms were accused of the crime of allegedly assaulting a white woman, though there was no clear evidence to support this claim.

The lynching took place after an accusation had been made against Roger Malcom, who was in jail for allegedly assaulting a white farmer. The mob, despite the presence of law enforcement, pulled the victims from the jail, took them to the Moore’s Ford Bridge, and shot them multiple times.  The lynching was witnessed by several people, including children, who were unable to prevent the attack. Despite an initial investigation and the identification of multiple suspects, no one was ever prosecuted for the crime.

This tragedy is significant not only because of the brutality of the act but also due to the fact that it remained unsolved for years. Despite investigations by the FBI and public outcry, no one was ever convicted for the murders, and the incident became a symbol of the deep racial tensions and violence in the South during the time. It is considered one of the last known lynchings in the United States.

On July 25, 1943, the SS Leonard Roy Harmon was launched in Quincy, Massachusetts. It was a significant moment in history as it was the first warship to be named after an African American. The ship was named in honor of Leonard Roy Harmon, a mess attendant who died heroically during the attack on the USS San Francisco (CA-38) in the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. Harmon was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his bravery. His legacy was honored with the naming of the ship, reflecting the recognition of African Americans’ contributions and sacrifices during World War II.

The Liberty Life Insurance Company was founded on July 25, 1921. It was a prominent life insurance company that played an important role in the insurance industry in its time. Over the years, it grew through mergers and acquisitions and eventually became part of what is now known as Liberty Mutual.

Garrett T. Morgan is widely recognized for his significant contribution to safety with the invention of the gas mask. On July 25, 1916, he famously used his invention to rescue six men who were trapped in a gas-filled tunnel in Cleveland, Ohio, after an explosion. Morgan’s gas mask was an innovative device that helped protect individuals from toxic fumes and smoke, marking a major advancement in safety equipment.

His quick thinking and bravery in using the gas mask to save lives highlighted his practical application of invention and earned him national attention. This event further solidified his reputation as an inventor who used his creativity to address real-world problems.