BLACK HISTORY
ON THIS DAY IN MARCH!
MARCH 1, 1949:
Joe Lewis retried as the heavyweight boxing champion. He held the title for over eleven years.
MARCH 2, 1962:
Wilt Chamberlain set the single-game scoring record for the NBA when he scored 100 points.
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MARCH 3, 1821:
Thomas Jennings became the first African American to receive a paten and own the rights to his own invention.
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MARCH 4, 1954:
J. Ernest Wilkins, Sr. was appointed Assistant Secretary of Labor by president Dwight D. Eisenhower. He became the first African American to hold a sub-cabinet position in the United States Government.
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MARCH 5, 1897:
The American Negro Academy was founded.
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MARCH 6, 1867:
The Dred Scott decision of the Supreme Court denied the power of Congress to restrict slavery in any federal territory.
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MARCH 7, 1965:
A group of 600 marchers set out from Selma, Alabama to go to Montgomery, Alabama. This day later became knows as "Bloody Sunday".
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MARCH 8, 1945:
Phyllis Mae Dailey became the first African American sworn in as a Navy Nurse.
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MARCH 9, 1891:
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a historical black college, was founded.
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MARCH 10, 1972:
The first Black Political Convention was held (until March 12) in Gary, Indiana.
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MARCH 11, 1958:
A Raisin in the Sun debuted at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. A Raisin in the Sun was the frist Broadway play produced by a Black woman, Lorraine Hansberry.
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MARCH 12, 1945:
The Ives-Quinn Anti-Discrimination Bill was signed in New York to combat racial and religious discrimination in employment.
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MARCH 13, 1932:
The Atlanta Daily World newspaper began running as a daily publication, becoming the first successful African American daily newspaper in the United States.
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MARCH 14, 1794:
Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin. This increased the demand of land and enslaved people.
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MARCH 15, 1999:
Maurice Ashley became the first Black chess player to earn the rank of International Grand Master.
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MARCH 16, 1870:
Hiram Revels, the first Black person to serve in the U.S. Senate, delivered his first speech.
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MARCH 17, 1946:
Jackie Robinson made his debut in Spring Training with the Montreal Royals.
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MARCH 18, 1877:
Senate confirmed Frederick Douglass appointment by President Hayes as United States Marshal for the District of Columbia.
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MARCH 19, 1968:
Howard University students seized the administration building for four days. The students insisted on changes in the discipline policy and that courses be offered in African-American history.
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MARCH 20, 1852:
Uncle Tom's Cabin, an abolitionist novel, was published. The author is Harriet Beecher Stowe.
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MARCH 21, 1960:
The Massacre of Sharpeville occured in Sharpeville, South Africa. Demonstrators were protesting agains the South African governments' restriction of nonwhite travel.
MARCH 22, 1873:
The Spanish National Assembly abolished slavery in Puerto Rico. However, the people enslaved were required to continue working for three more years.
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MARCH 23, 1971:
Rev. Walter Fauntroy was sworn in as the first delegate from the District of Columbia to the House of Representatives in nearly 100 years.
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MARCH 24, 2002:
Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win the best actress Oscar award.
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MARCH 25, 1965:
The marchers, led by Marin Luther King, Jr. arrived in Montgomery from Selma. The march from Selma to Montgomery was fifty miles.
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MARCH 26, 1872:
Thomas J. Martin was awarded a patent for the fire extinguisher.
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MARCH 27, 1948:
Billie Holiday made her frist appearance as a headliner at New York City's Carnegie Hall to a sold-out office.
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MARCH 28, 1968:
Martin Luther King, Jr. led a march in Memphis, TN. This march has been reported as the worst of King's career and the only march led by him that turned violent.
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MARCH 29, 1898:
William J. Ballow patented the combined hat rack and table.
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MARCH 30, 1962:
Air Force Capt. Edward J. Dwight Jr. became the first African-American candidate for astronaut training.
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MARCH 31, 1870:
Thomas Mundy Peterson became the first Black cast his vote in the nation.
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