Black - African American History Facts

Henry O. Flipper, the first black graduate of West Point, was born on this date in 1856. Flipper later served as Second Lieutenant in the Black Calvary regiment known as the "Buffalo Soldiers."

Eva Beatrice Dykes became the first black woman to meet the requirements for a Ph.D. on this date in 1921. Dykes attended Radcliffe College in Massachusetts.

Kenny Washington became the first black NFL player when he signed with the Los Angeles Rams on this date in 1946.

Walter Francis White, writer and NAACP Executive Director, died in New York City on this date in 1955. Roy Wilkins was his successor.

The Selma Freedom March to the State Capitol in Montgomery, AL, began on this date in 1965. The march, which consisted of about 3,000 demonstrators led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., pressed for voting rights. The march ended four days later.

Debi Thomas became the first black person to win the Women's World Figure Skating Championship in Geneva, Switzerland, on this date in 1986.

The African nation of Namibia gained its independence on this date in 1990.

Texaco settled a discrimination lawsuit by black employees for $175 million on this date in 1997. The 1,342 employees were upset about racist recordings of executives and their attempt to destroy evidence.

Barack Obama challenged Congressman Bobby Rush and lost to him in the Illinois House primary on this date in 2000.