Black - African American History Facts

Samuel R. Lowery became the first black lawyer to actually argue a case before the Supreme Court on this date in 1866. One year and one day earlier, John S. Rock was the first black admitted to practice before the Court.

Bishop Alexander Walters, the AME Zion Church's first black president, died on this date in 1917.

In Mobile, AL, Ku Klux Klansman, Henry Hays, was sentenced to death for the 1981 strangulation/murder of 19-year-old black youth, Michael Donald, on this date in 1984.

James Weldon Johnson, diplomat, the first Field Secretary of the NAACP, and co-composer of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (Black National Anthem), was commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp on this date in 1988.

A 30-year ban on the African National Congress was finally lifted by then South African President F. W. DeKlerk on this date in 1990.

Eric Holder was sworn in as the first black Attorney General on this date in 2009.