Black - African American History Facts

Hiram Rhodes Revels of Mississippi was sworn in as the first black U.S. Senator on this date in 1870.

Archibald Grimke, diplomat, editor, and 10-year President of the NAACP's Washington, DC, chapter, died there on this date in 1930.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights activist, was ordained a Baptist minister on this date in 1948.

Casius Clay, boxing legend, changed his name to Muhammad Ali after converting to Islam on this date in 1964 immediately after winning his first heavyweight title (KO of Sonny Liston, round seven).

Elijah Muhammad, activist and founder of the Nation of Islam, died at age 77 in Chicago, IL, on this date in 1975.

Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr., the first black Four-Star General in the U.S. Air Force, died at the Air Force Academy in Colorado on this date in 1978.

Edgar Daniel "E. D." Nixon, civil rights leader and primary figure in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, died in Montgomery, AL, on this date in 1987.