Congress passes 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution which, on ratification, abolished slavery in America

The 24th Amendment to the US Constitution is ratified, abolishing the poll tax.

Richard Wright is awarded the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal.

James Robert Gladden becomes first African American certified in orthopedic surgery.

Singer Sam Cooke, best known for “You Send Me” and “Twisting the Night Away,” is born in Chicago., Illinois.

Pioneering aviator Willa Brown-Chappell is born in Glasgow, Kentucky.

Former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan died in Houston, Texas.

Congressman Mike Espy of Mississippi is confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture.

Freedom’s Journal, first black-owned and operated newspaper, begins publishing in New York City.

Patricia Roberts Harris becomes United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the first black woman to hold a Cabinet position.