Black - African American History Facts

Jesse Owens, legendary track star, was born in Danville, AL, on this date in 1913. Owens won four Olympic Gold Medals in Berlin in 1936.

Military leaders deposed Haile Selassie on this date in 1974. Selassie had been the ruling monarch of Ethiopia since 1930.

Dr. Mae Carol Jemison flew in the Space Shuttle Endeavor on this date in 1992. Jemison was the first black woman to travel in space.

Twenty years to the date of his death, South African freedom-fighter, Steven Biko, was honored at a ceremony in South Africa on this date in 1997. President Nelson Mandela took part in the ceremony.

James Perkins, Jr. became the first black Mayor of Selma AL, when he defeated Joseph J. Smitherman on this date in 2000. Smitherman had held the office for 35 years.

Barack Obama presented his extensive plan to get out of Iraq on this date in 2007.