Arthur Ashe is named to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Michael Jackson signs a $65 million six-album deal with Sony Records.

Carter G. Woodson received doctorate from Harvard University.

Jan Matzeliger receives a patent for the shoe-lasting machine, which launches a mass production of shoes.

Langston Hughes founds the New Negro Theater in Los Angeles. It’s first performance is his play Don’t You Want to Be Free?

Rapper, actress and model Queen Latifah is born in Newark, New Jersey.

Rev. Leon Sullivan is elected to the board of directors of General Motors.

Jazz saxophonist Ornette Coleman is born in Fort Worth, Texas.

Singer Donna Summer gets a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

President Hayes appoints former slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass marshal of Washington, D.C.