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1934

George Shirley, African-American tenor and educator

George Shirley, African-American tenor and educator

1904

Pigmeat Markham, African-American comedian, singer, and dancer (died 1981)

Pigmeat Markham, African-American comedian, singer, and dancer (died 1981)

1813

James McCune Smith, African-American physician, apothecary, abolitionist, and author (died 1865)

James McCune Smith, African-American physician, apothecary, abolitionist, and author (died 1865)

1864

American Civil War: African-American Union soldiers were massacred and mutilated during and after the Battle of Poison S

American Civil War: African-American Union soldiers were massacred and mutilated during and after the Battle of Poison Spring.

2015

Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African American, died of injuries sustained while in the custody of the Baltimore Police De

Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African American, died of injuries sustained while in the custody of the Baltimore Police Department.

1932

Slide Hampton, African-American trombonist and composer (died 2021)

Slide Hampton, African-American trombonist and composer (died 2021)

1935

Paul Chambers, African-American bassist and composer (died 1969)

Paul Chambers, African-American bassist and composer (died 1969)

1892

Vernon Johns, African-American minister and activist (died 1965)

Vernon Johns, African-American minister and activist (died 1965)

1932

Meadowlark Lemon, African-American basketball player and minister (died 2015)

Meadowlark Lemon, African-American basketball player and minister (died 2015)

2005

Elisabeth Domitien, Prime Minister of the Central African Republic (born 1925)

Elisabeth Domitien, Prime Minister of the Central African Republic (born 1925)

1969

Cory Booker, African-American lawyer and politician

Cory Booker, African-American lawyer and politician

1927

Coretta Scott King, African-American activist and author (died 2006)

Coretta Scott King, African-American activist and author (died 2006)

1992

The acquittal of policemen who had beaten African-American motorist Rodney King sparked six days of civil unrest in Los

The acquittal of policemen who had beaten African-American motorist Rodney King sparked six days of civil unrest in Los Angeles (damage pictured), during which 63 people were killed.

1963

African Americans rioted in Birmingham, Alabama, in response to two bombings, perceiving local police to be complicit wi

African Americans rioted in Birmingham, Alabama, in response to two bombings, perceiving local police to be complicit with the perpetrators.

1916

Jesse Washington, a teenage African-American farmhand, was lynched in Waco, Texas

Jesse Washington, a teenage African-American farmhand, was lynched in Waco, Texas.

1980

Rioting spreads to Miami's mostly African-American neighborhoods of Overtown and Liberty City following the previous day

Rioting spreads to Miami's mostly African-American neighborhoods of Overtown and Liberty City following the previous day's courthouse protests.

1963

The Organisation of African Unity is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Organisation of African Unity is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

2020

George Floyd, African American man murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (born 1973)

George Floyd, African American man murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (born 1973)

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Africa Day (African Union)

Africa Day (African Union)

1918

Lloyd Quarterman, African American chemist (died 1982)

Lloyd Quarterman, African American chemist (died 1982)