Jaleel White, American actor and writer, was born in Culver City, California. He rose to fame portraying the beloved and iconic character Steve Urkel on the hit sitcom Family Matters, which aired from 1989 to 1998. Originally intended as a one-time guest role, Urkel became a cultural phenomenon and one of the most recognizable characters in American television history. White’s portrayal broke barriers for young Black actors in mainstream media and remains a lasting part of pop culture.

Robin Givens, an American actress and model, was born on this day in New York City. She rose to fame in the late 1980s for her role as Darlene Merriman on the sitcom Head of the Class (1986–1991). Givens also became a prominent figure in pop culture during the 1980s and 1990s, known for her poise, talent, and high-profile personal life—including a brief, widely publicized marriage to boxer Mike Tyson.

She later became an advocate for victims of domestic violence and has continued working in television, film, and theater.

On this day, federal troops withdrew from Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, after nearly two months of protecting the Little Rock Nine — a group of nine Black students who had enrolled in the previously all-white school.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower had sent the 101st Airborne Division to enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared school segregation unconstitutional.

The presence of troops helped ensure the students’ safety against violent mobs and resistance from the Arkansas governor. Their withdrawal marked a turning point, symbolizing the beginning of federal enforcement of civil rights in education — but the students continued to face harassment throughout the year.

Dorothy Height was elected as the fourth national president of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) in November 1957.  She served in this role for 40 years, until 1997, providing steadfast leadership during pivotal moments in the American civil rights movement.

Prior to her presidency at NCNW, Height was deeply involved with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). She began her tenure there in 1937 and played a significant role in integrating its facilities nationwide.  Additionally, from 1947 to 1956, she served as the national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where she developed leadership training and educational programs.

Under Height’s leadership, the NCNW focused on issues such as voter registration in the South, education in the North, and scholarship programs for student civil rights workers.  She also coordinated “Wednesdays in Mississippi,” bringing together black and white women to foster dialogue and understanding during the civil rights era.

Height’s dedication to civil and women’s rights earned her numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.  She continued her advocacy until her passing on April 20, 2010, leaving a lasting legacy in the fight for equality and justice.

Mickey Leland, a Democratic Representative from Texas, was born on this day in Lubbock, Texas. A passionate advocate for the poor and underrepresented, Leland was known for his work in fighting hunger, both domestically and globally. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 until his death in 1989.

Tragically, on August 7, 1989, Leland died in a plane crash in southwestern Ethiopia while on a humanitarian mission to deliver food and aid to famine-stricken areas. His legacy lives on through the Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowship and numerous initiatives focused on global food security and social justice.

Jimi Hendrix, one of the most influential and celebrated rock musicians of all time, was born in Seattle, Washington. Known for his groundbreaking guitar skills, electrifying performances, and genre-defying sound, Hendrix transformed rock music in the 1960s with hits like Purple Haze, Hey Joe, and his iconic rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock. Though his mainstream career lasted only four years, his legacy continues to inspire musicians across genres worldwide.

Marjorie Joyner, an African American inventor and businesswoman, was granted U.S. Patent No. 1,693,515 for her invention of the permanent wave machine, a device designed to curl or straighten hair for both Black and white clients. Joyner was a key figure in the beauty industry and worked for the Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company, where she served as national supervisor for over 200 beauty schools. She assigned her patent rights to the company, as was customary at the time.

Her invention revolutionized hair care and laid the foundation for later advancements in hair styling technology.

After a landmark legal battle in the United States, the formerly enslaved Africans who had taken control of the Spanish schooner La Amistad set sail for Sierra Leone aboard the ship Gentleman on November 27, 1841.

These individuals, mostly Mende people from present-day Sierra Leone, had been illegally kidnapped and sold into slavery. In 1839, they revolted aboard the Amistad, killing the captain and taking control of the ship. After being captured near Long Island, New York, they faced a legal trial that became a national and international cause célèbre.

The U.S. Supreme Court, with former President John Quincy Adams arguing on their behalf, ruled in 1841 that the Africans had been illegally enslaved and had the right to fight for their freedom. The decision led to their release and eventual return to Africa.