Black - African American History Facts

Paul Cuffe, merchant, shipbuilder, and black nationalist, was born in New Bedford, MA, on this date in 1759. Cuffe helped American blacks settle in Sierra Leone in a "return to Africa" attempt.

The United States succeeded Denmark as the sovereign authority in the Virgin Islands on this date in 1917.

Lawrence Douglas Wilder, the first black Governor in the 20th century, was born in Richmond, VA, on this date in 1931.

Muhammad Ali, activist and three-time world heavyweight boxing champion, was born in Louisville, KY, on this date in 1942.

John M. Burgess was installed as Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal diocese of Massachusetts on this date in 1970.

Shirley Creenard Steele was appointed as Iowa's first black female Assistant Attorney General on this date in 1977.

Nearly 20 years after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed, marchers celebrating his birthday were attacked in Forsyth County, GA, on this date in 1987.