Spingarn Medal awarded Damon J. Keith “in tribute to his steadfast defense of constitutional principles as revealed in a series of memorable decisions he handed down as a United States District Court judge.”

Shirley Chisholm becomes first Black woman to be elected to Congress, representing Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NYC, 1968

U.S. Supreme Court decision (Buchanan v. Warley) struck down Louisville, Ky., ordinance which required Blacks and whites to live in separate residential areas.

Lord Dunmore, British governor of Virginia, declares all slaves free who come to the defense of the British Crown against the patriot forces. Dunmore eventually organizes the first regiment of black soldiers, called Dunmore’s Ethiopian Regiment, to fight under the British Flag.

Comedian Bill Cosby announces his gift of $20 million to Spelman College. This is the largest donation ever made by a black American to a college or university.

Illinois senator Barack Obama is elected the 44^th President of the United States.

Absalom Jones rose from slavery to become the first black Episcopal priest and principal founder of St. Thomas, the first black Episcopal church.

The U.S. Supreme Court, in Gayle v. Browder, bans segregation in intrastate travel, effectively giving a victory to those supporting the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Deval Patrick is elected governor of Massachusetts.

By Lee A. Daniels
New Mexico’s new Republican Governor Susana Martinez has drawn significant national attention not only because she’s the first Latinato hold that high office in the U.S., but also because she’s pushed a hard-line against undocumented immigrants—most of whom, of course, are from Latin America.