Black - African American History Facts

The Secretary of Navy authorized the enlistment of slaves as Union sailors on this date in 1861.

Peter "Black Prince" Jackson, a native of the Virgin Islands, won the Australian Heavyweight title, becoming the first black man to win a national boxing crown on this date in 1886.

The Little Rock Nine (Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Patillo, Gloria Ray, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, and Carlotta Walls) began the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, AR, on this date in 1957. They were accompanied by federal troops and soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division who put down interference by angry mobs.