Memories from the past of Music, Culture & Arts.
16 October 1995, The Million Man March An enormous crowd consisting mostly of African American men demonstrates on the National Mall on 16 October 1995, an event known as the Million Man March. Driven by their desire to see Congress act in the interests of African Americans, and to combat negative stereotypes of Black men, a disputed but undeniably high number of attendees converge for over 12 hours […]
15 October 1968, Wyomia Tyus becomes the first person to win a gold medal in the 100 meter race in two consecutive Olympic games. Height: 5'8" Nationality: American Education: Tennessee State University Movies: Salute Wyomia Tyus, (born August 29, 1945, Griffin, Georgia, U.S.), American sprinter who held the world record for the 100-metre race (1964–65, 1968–72) and was the first person to win the Olympic gold medal twice (1964, 1968) in […]
14 October 1973 George Perry Floyd's Birthday Full Name: George Perry Floyd Profession: Victim of Police Brutality Nationality: American Why Famous: George Floyd was a 46 year old bouncer whose violent death at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis ignited huge Black Lives Matter protests in America and around the world. Born in North Carolina, Floyd grew up in Houston, Texas and showed promise as a student […]
13 October 1914 Garrett Augustus Morgan patent the gas mask. Garrett Morgan blazed a trail for African American inventors with his patents, including those for a hair-straightening product, a breathing device, a revamped sewing machine and an improved traffic signal. Who Was Garrett Morgan? With only an elementary school education, Garrett Morgan began his career as a sewing-machine mechanic. He went on to patent several inventions, including an improved sewing […]
Comedian and activist Dick Gregory was born on 12 October 1932. What better way to talk about political and racial issues in American than through comedic stand-up? Activist and comedian Richard Claxton “Dick” Gregory transitioned his comedic background into a versatile career, which included scientific research, activism for civil rights and other human injustices, and politics. Gregory was born on Oct. 12, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri. He discovered […]
On 11 October 1963, Malcolm X gave a speech at the University of California, Berkeley, in which he outlined the philosophy of black nationalism as promoted by the Nation of Islam and declared racial separatism as the best approach to the problems facing black America. Most of that speech appears below. Our people in the Negro community are trapped in a vicious cycle of ignorance, poverty, disease, sickness, and […]
10 October 1899 African-American inventor Issac R. Johnson patents the bicycle frame Isaac R. Johnson, inventor of a patented form for a folding bicycle frame that is recognizable as the common contemporary bicycle. Due to the media attention the Bicycle Corps of the 25th Infantry garnered from their amazing ride interest in bicycle touring grew. In 1899, an African American inventor by the name of Isaac Johnson filed a patent […]
09 October 1969 The Supremes release single "Someday We'll Be Together" Profession: Singer and Actress Nationality: American Why Famous: Diana Ross rose to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes, Motown's most successful act, and one of the most successful female groups ever. Introduced to Motown by her neighborhood friend Smokey Robinson, Ross was one part of a teenage group called the Primettes along with Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Betty McGlown. […]
Born Jesse Burns in Greenville, South Carolina on 8 October 1941 Long before he became a minister, head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Operation Breadbasket, Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), and founder of the Rainbow Coalition, Jesse Louis Jackson impressed his family and close friends as a person destined for greatness. Born Jesse Burns in Greenville, South Carolina on 8 October 1941 to Helen Burns, a 17 year old unwed […]
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