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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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