Facts

After 12 days of debate and voting on 125 amendments, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

1986- Oprah Winfrey becomes the first African American woman to host a nationally syndicated talk show. It remains in production for 24 years.

1927 – University of Chicago and Harvard University Graduate, Carter G. Woodson creates Negro History Week. In 1976 it became Black History Month.

1945-Bob Marley, Jamaican reggae star is born in Nine Miles, Saint Ann, Jamaica. He continues to be an internationally recognized musical icon.

1934: Henry “Home Run King” Aaron, baseball superstar was born in Mobile, Alabama. He held the record for most career Home Runs for 31 years.

Rosa Parks was born on this day in Tuskeegee, AL in 1913. Ms. Parks earned numerous awards for her life-long dedication to social change and justice.

1956: Autherine J. Lucy becomes the first black student to attend the University of Alabama. She was expelled 3 days later “for her own safety.”

Eric Holder is sworn in as the first African-American U.S. Attorney General in 2009.

1865: The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, was adopted by the 38th Congress. Ratification was completed December 6, 1865.

Etta Moten sings for President Roosevelt at a White House Dinner. It is the first time an African American actress performs at the White House in 1934.

Harlem Globetrotters formed in 1927. They are the only sports team to have a star on “Hollywood’s Walk of Fame” and have won more than 22,500 games.

American television personality, Oprah Winfrey, whose syndicated daily talk show is among the most popular was born in Kosciusko, Miss in 1954.