Today In Black History

1850*

The California Fugitive Slave Law, introduced earlier by state Senator Henry A. Crabb, was adopted by the State Legislature. It authorized any slave owner claiming a runaway to obtain warrant for the slave's arrest.

1861*

President Lincoln called for 75,000 troops to put down the rebellion. Lincoln administration rejected Black volunteers. For almost two years straight Black Americans fought for the right, as one humorist put it, "to be kilt".

1865*

Death of Abraham Lincoln, Washington.

1899*

Asa Philip Randolph, founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, was born in Crescent City, Florida

1919*

Lithographer and sculptor Elizabeth Catlett was born in Washington, DC. Catlett was the first woman to teach sculpture at the School of Fine Arts, National Autonomous University of Mexico.

1959*

African Freedom Day is declared at the All-African People's Conference in Accra, Ghana.

1960*

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee organized by young activists at a meeting on the Shaw University campus.

1978*

Thomas W. Turner founder of the Federation of Colored Catholics and charter member of the NAACP dies at age 101

1985*

Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns wins the World Middleweight title. This is one of five weight classes that he has won a boxing title making him the first Black to win boxing titles in five different weight classes.

1996*

South Africa's "truth commission", looking into abuses during the apartheid era, began its public hearings.