Macon Bolling Allen, first African American lawyer admitted to the bar, passed examination at Worchester, Massachusetts.  Macon B. Allen was the first African American lawyer to be admitted to a state bar, and the first African American to hold a judicial position in the United States. Macon was born in Indiana in 1816 and learned to read and write on his own. He worked as a teacher, but moved to Maine in his late twenties, serving there as an apprentice in a law firm.

After passing the Maine Bar Exam in 1844, Allen could not find work because of his race. He moved to Boston, where he opened the first black law office in the United States. In 1848, Allen became Justice of the Peace for Middlesex County in Massachusetts. He later moved to South Carolina, where he was appointed as a judge in the Inferior Court of Charleston in 1873. He also served as Probate Judge of Charleston in 1874. Allen practiced law until his death in 1894.

On May 2, 1967, more than 100 Black students at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, seized the Bursar’s (Finance) Office in a bold demonstration against racial discrimination and academic exclusion. The protest lasted 38 hours and became a pivotal moment in campus activism. The students presented a list of demands calling for a Black studies curriculum, increased Black student enrollment, better support for Black students, and the establishment of a Black student union. Their efforts led to meaningful changes, including the creation of the Department of African American Studies and more inclusive university policies. The Bursar’s Office Takeover remains a landmark example of student-led reform in higher education.

On May 2, 1948, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark civil rights ruling in Shelley v. Kraemer, declaring that courts could not enforce racially restrictive covenants in property deeds. These covenants, which were widespread across the country, barred Black families and other minorities from buying or occupying homes in certain neighborhoods. The decision did not outlaw the covenants themselves but prohibited state and federal courts from upholding them—effectively stripping them of legal power. The case was brought by the Shelley family, African American homeowners in St. Louis, Missouri, who challenged the systemic housing discrimination that had long excluded Black Americans from suburban homeownership and generational wealth. This ruling paved the way for broader challenges to housing segregation and remains a foundational case in the history of U.S. civil rights law.

From May 1 to May 3, 1866, one of the earliest post–Civil War race massacres occurred in Memphis, Tennessee. White mobs—including police officers and former Confederate soldiers—attacked Black communities in response to tensions over Black Union soldiers returning home and the growing push for civil rights. Over the three-day rampage, at least 46 African Americans were killed, more than 70 were injured, and over 90 Black homes, 12 schools, and 4 churches were burned to the ground. The massacre shocked the nation and fueled support for Radical Reconstruction policies and the 14th Amendment. It remains a sobering example of the violent backlash to Black freedom in the Reconstruction era.

James Brown, one of the most influential figures in American music, was born on May 3, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina. Brown helped pioneer soul, funk, and rhythm and blues, leaving an indelible mark on 20th-century popular music. His energetic performances, revolutionary rhythms, and vocal intensity paved the way for countless artists across genres. Beyond music, Brown became an advocate for Black empowerment during the Civil Rights Movement, famously promoting self-reliance with anthems like “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud.” His influence stretched from Motown to hip-hop, earning him numerous accolades including inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

On May 3, 1960, the U.S. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1960, aiming to address racial discrimination in voting. Building on the earlier 1957 Act, this legislation introduced federal inspection of local voter registration polls and penalties for obstructing Black Americans from voting. While limited in scope, it signaled growing federal willingness to intervene in Southern states that systematically disenfranchised African Americans. The 1960 Act laid groundwork for the more powerful Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, pivotal in dismantling Jim Crow laws. It demonstrated that legal pressure and organized activism were beginning to crack the foundations of segregation.

On May 3, 1978, the National Urban League, under Vernon Jordan’s leadership, organized a major March on Washington to demand economic opportunities and justice for African Americans. Unlike the 1963 march, this protest was Black-led at every level, reflecting the post-Civil Rights era’s emphasis on Black agency. Demonstrators called for fair employment, better housing, and investment in urban communities. Though it garnered less media coverage than earlier marches, it was significant for pushing the dialogue beyond civil rights toward economic equity—a struggle that remains ongoing today.

On May 3, 1963, during the Birmingham Campaign in Alabama, hundreds of young Black protesters faced fire hoses and police dogs under Bull Connor’s orders. Captured on national television, these brutal scenes shocked the nation and the world, galvanizing support for civil rights legislation. The campaign, led by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), aimed to dismantle Jim Crow segregation in the city known as “the most segregated in America.” May 3rd marked a turning point, with children leading “Children’s Crusade” marches, demonstrating remarkable courage and shifting public opinion irreversibly.

John Brown, a white abolitionist who would become a fierce ally to Black freedom fighters, was born on May 3, 1808, in Connecticut. Though controversial, Brown’s deep conviction that slavery must be eradicated by any means—even violence—made him a singular figure in American history. His 1859 raid on Harper’s Ferry aimed to ignite a slave rebellion. Though the raid failed and Brown was executed, his actions helped heighten tensions leading to the Civil War. Many Black leaders, including Frederick Douglass and later W.E.B. Du Bois, recognized Brown as a martyr for the cause of Black liberation.

On May 3, 1980, musician and cultural advocate Kenny Gamble met with political leaders to push for the official recognition of June as Black Music Month. Although President Jimmy Carter formally proclaimed it later that year, the groundwork began with this pivotal May meeting. Black Music Month honors the immeasurable contributions of African Americans to music genres including jazz, gospel, blues, R&B, hip-hop, and rock and roll. It institutionalized a national celebration of Black creativity and cultural impact, highlighting a central pillar of American—and global—artistic life.

Elmer A. Carter, a groundbreaking social worker and civil rights leader, passed away on May 3, 1949. He was the first African American to head a New York State agency, serving on the State Commission Against Discrimination. Carter championed fair employment practices and was instrumental in drafting early civil rights laws. His career exemplified the growing political influence of African Americans in the early 20th century, setting a foundation for future generations of Black public officials.

Although the official opening was May 23, the previews for Shuffle Along—the groundbreaking all-Black Broadway musical—began on May 3, 1921. Written by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, it broke racial barriers, proving that Black performers could command Broadway audiences. Its success helped usher in the Harlem Renaissance by launching careers of major stars like Josephine Baker and Paul Robeson. Shuffle Along challenged stereotypes and expanded opportunities for African American artists in mainstream theater, influencing American culture for decades.

Septima Clark was born on May 3, 1898, in Charleston, South Carolina. A pioneering educator and activist, she understood that literacy and education were essential tools for Black empowerment. Clark developed citizenship schools that taught Black adults how to read, write, and pass voter literacy tests. Her work greatly expanded the base of civil rights activism and voter participation, particularly in the South. Often overshadowed by more famous figures, Clark’s grassroots leadership made the broader movement possible, earning her the title “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.”

Elijah McCoy, born in Colchester, Ontario, to formerly enslaved parents, became one of the most prolific inventors in North America. His groundbreaking work in lubrication systems for steam engines revolutionized industry and transportation. McCoy’s automatic lubricators allowed trains and machinery to run longer and more efficiently, earning him 57 patents. His inventions were so respected that buyers would ask for “the real McCoy,” coining the famous phrase. Despite his genius, McCoy faced racial barriers that limited his business opportunities. Nevertheless, he persisted, becoming a symbol of Black ingenuity and perseverance in the face of systemic discrimination. His life inspired generations of Black inventors.

After decades of anti-colonial struggle against Portuguese rule and a long civil war, Angola was officially admitted as a full member of the United Nations on May 3, 1991. Angola’s independence in 1975 marked a major moment in African decolonization. However, civil conflict, often fueled by Cold War politics, ravaged the nation. By joining the UN, Angola took a significant step toward international recognition, diplomacy, and rebuilding efforts. This event symbolized the ongoing journey of African nations asserting their sovereignty on the world stage, striving for peace, self-determination, and global partnership.

Although Jomo Kenyatta died in August, May 3, 1978, marked an important national day of mourning declared in his honor by many African states. Kenyatta, often called the “Father of the Nation,” led Kenya to independence from British colonial rule in 1963. His Pan-African ideals and emphasis on African sovereignty inspired liberation movements across the continent. While his presidency was not without controversy, Kenyatta remains a towering figure in African history for his leadership, advocacy for land rights, and promotion of national unity amidst ethnic diversity.

On May 3, 1948, Jamaica officially celebrated its first national Labor Day to honor the critical role of workers, particularly Black laborers who fought for social and economic reforms. Labor Day in Jamaica originated in recognition of the 1938 labor uprisings that had sparked greater rights for working-class Jamaicans. These uprisings were pivotal to Jamaica’s path toward independence in 1962. The observance of Labor Day celebrated solidarity, worker dignity, and Black leadership in shaping a fairer society, setting a precedent for similar recognitions across the Caribbean.

On May 3, 1791, Toussaint Louverture achieved his first significant military victory against French forces in what would become the Haitian Revolution. The success marked a powerful signal that enslaved Africans in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) could organize and defeat colonial armies. Louverture’s leadership not only advanced the Haitian cause but would eventually lead to Haiti becoming the first Black republic and the first nation to abolish slavery entirely. His early victories became inspiration for freedom movements worldwide, showing that Black liberation was possible through courage and strategic brilliance.

Zakaria Mohieddin, a key figure in Egypt’s 1952 revolution that ended monarchy rule, died on May 3, 1969. Though not as globally recognized as Gamal Abdel Nasser, Mohieddin was a crucial architect in modernizing Egypt and asserting African and Arab independence from colonial influence. His leadership during tumultuous times underscored the broader Pan-African and Pan-Arab efforts to resist imperialism. His policies influenced many African nations struggling for sovereignty in the mid-20th century, leaving an enduring if understated legacy in Black internationalist history.

On May 3, 1960, the foundations of what would become the Nigeria Labour Congress were laid, unifying various labor movements under a common banner. The NLC would grow to become the largest labor organization in Africa, advocating for workers’ rights, economic justice, and democracy. The creation of the NLC reflected the broader push for national dignity and independence from colonial and neocolonial economic systems, serving as a model for worker solidarity movements across the African continent.

Though the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok, Nigeria, occurred on April 14, the #BringBackOurGirls movement reached peak global attention by May 3, 2014. Black activists, celebrities, and political figures worldwide rallied to demand action. The campaign highlighted the intersecting struggles of racial injustice, gender oppression, and neocolonial violence faced by African communities. While many girls were later rescued or escaped, the tragedy underscored the urgent need for international solidarity in protecting vulnerable Black lives from extremist violence and systemic neglect.

On May 3, 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a powerful speech in London condemning apartheid in South Africa and linking it to racial injustice worldwide. Speaking at the London Hilton to an international audience, King declared that the fight for civil rights in the U.S. was inseparable from the global fight against colonialism and racial oppression. His advocacy reinforced the growing international movement against apartheid and emphasized solidarity across borders. The speech helped mobilize greater British and European support for sanctions against South Africa.

On May 3, 1948, Kwame Nkrumah, galvanized by the recent Accra Riots and the failure of colonial reforms, began organizing the political movement that would evolve into the Convention People’s Party (CPP). While officially founded in 1949, May 3 marks the moment Nkrumah’s vision crystallized — shifting from advocacy to mass mobilization for African self-governance. He broke from moderate nationalist groups, emphasizing “self-government now” rather than gradual independence. His work laid the groundwork for Ghana’s eventual freedom in 1957, making it the first sub-Saharan African nation to break colonial rule. This early organizing reflected a radical Pan-African strategy that would ripple across the continent. Nkrumah’s May 3rd efforts weren’t just national; they symbolized the rising call for Black sovereignty, dignity, and unity at a global scale, inspiring decolonization movements from Africa to the Caribbean.