Black - African American History Facts

Francis Louis Cardozo was installed as the first black Secretary of State in South Carolina on this date in 1868.

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams performed the world's first successful open-heart surgery without anesthesia at Provident Hospital in Chicago, IL, on this date in 1893.

O. J. Simpson, "Heisman Trophy" winner and one of the greatest running backs in football history, was born on this date in 1947.

E. Frederic Morrow became the first black person to hold an executive position among the White House staff on this date in 1955. Morrow was named Administrative Aide to President Dwight Eisenhower.

Leon Howard Sullivan, clergyman and activist, received the 56th NAACP Spingarn Medal on this date in 1971 for his contribution in using the social gospel to meet the social, cultural, and economical needs of the black community.

Percy E. Sutton, public servant, businessman, and community leader, received the 72nd NAACP Spingarn Medal on this date in 1987 for his success as a New York State Legislator, 12-year Manhattan Borough President, and for building a national broadcast empire.