The Defenders Online | A Civil Rights Blog » This Week in History

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia

The Editors — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:31:12 +0000

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia

Jet magazine founded by John H. Johnson, publisher of Ebony magazine.

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

Jet magazine founded by John H. Johnson, publisher of Ebony magazine.

First issue of the Crisis published by editor W.E.B. Du Bois.

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

First issue of the Crisis published by editor W.E.B. Du Bois.

Barack Obama is elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

Barack Obama is elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois. He becomes the second African American elected to the Senate from that state, and only the fifth black U.S. senator in history

President Ronald Reagan signs law designating the third Monday in January Martin Luther King Jr Day, 1983

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

President Ronald Reagan signs law designating the third Monday in January Martin Luther King Jr Day, 1983

The Mississippi Plan

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

Democrats suppressed Black vote by fraud and violence and carried Mississippi election. "The Mississippi Plan" staged riots, political assassinations, massacres and social and economic intimidation was used later to overthrow Reconstruction governments in South Carolina and Louisiana.

Harold Ford elected congressman from TN, 1974

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

Harold Ford elected congressman from TN, 1974

Spingarn Medal presented to Paul Robeson

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

Spingarn Medal presented to Paul Robeson "for his outstanding achievement in the theater, on the concert stage, and in the general field of racial welfare."

Carol Moseley Braun is the 1st African American woman to be elected to the US Senate

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

Carol Moseley Braun is the 1st African American woman to be elected to the US Senate

Hulan Jack was elected first Black Borough President of Manhattan, NYC, 1953

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

Hulan Jack was elected first Black Borough President of Manhattan, NYC, 1953

Spingarn Medal awarded Damon J. Keith

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

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

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

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

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

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

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:55 +0000

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

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:54 +0000

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 44th President of the United States.

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:54 +0000

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

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:54 +0000

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

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:03:54 +0000

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.

The Editors — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:35:03 +0000

Deval Patrick is elected governor of Massachusetts.

Alexis Herman, U.S. Labor Secretary, is instrumental in ending a 15-day United Parcel Services (UPS) strike

The Editors — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:21:43 +0000

Alexis Herman, U.S. Labor Secretary, is instrumental in ending a 15-day United Parcel Services (UPS) strike.

1963

The Editors — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:19:51 +0000

James Meredith, the first black person admitted to the University of Mississippi, graduates on this day becoming the school’s first black graduate.

1917

The Editors — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:17:09 +0000

Archibald H. Grimke, diplomat, editor, and President of the NAACP’s Washington, D.C. chapter for 10 years, is born.

1816

The Editors — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:04:51 +0000

Peter Salem, a soldier who fought in the American Revolution at the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Breed’s Hill, dies in Framingham, MA. Related Posts:Oliver Hill Documentary

1957

The Editors — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:45:06 +0000

Cora M. Brown, the first black woman elected to a state senate, is appointed Special General Counsel of the United States Post Office Department.

1959

The Editors — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:43:01 +0000

Basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson is born.