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1955

Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference

Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference.

1950

Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry

Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

1850

The American League of Colored Laborers, the first African American labor union in the United States, is established in

The American League of Colored Laborers, the first African American labor union in the United States, is established in New York City.

1850

The American League of Colored Laborers, one of the first labor unions for African Americans, was established in New Yor

The American League of Colored Laborers, one of the first labor unions for African Americans, was established in New York City.

2013

William Tebeau, American engineer, first African-American man to graduate from Oregon State University (born 1925)

William Tebeau, American engineer, first African-American man to graduate from Oregon State University (born 1925)

1934

Lee Elder, American golfer (first African-American to play in the US Masters) (died 2021)

Lee Elder, American golfer (first African-American to play in the US Masters) (died 2021)

1863

American Civil War: Second Battle of Fort Wagner: One of the first formal African American military units, the 54th…

American Civil War: Second Battle of Fort Wagner: One of the first formal African American military units, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, supported by several white regiments, attempts an�

1959

Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green becomes the first African-American to play for the Boston Red Sox, the last team to…

Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green becomes the first African-American to play for the Boston Red Sox, the last team to integrate. He came in as a pinch runner for Vic Wertz and stayed in as shortstop in a 2�

1962

Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

1984

Vanessa Williams, the first African-American Miss America, was forced to resign after the magazine Penthouse published…

Vanessa Williams, the first African-American Miss America, was forced to resign after the magazine Penthouse published nude photos of her without consent.

1958

The African Regroupment Party holds its first congress in Cotonou.

The African Regroupment Party holds its first congress in Cotonou.

1874

Patrick Francis Healy became the first African-American inaugurated as president of a predominantly white university,…

Patrick Francis Healy became the first African-American inaugurated as president of a predominantly white university, Georgetown University.

1874

Patrick Francis Healy was inaugurated as president of Georgetown University, becoming the first African-American…

Patrick Francis Healy was inaugurated as president of Georgetown University, becoming the first African-American president of a predominantly white university in the United States.

1936

African-American athlete Jesse Owens won the first of his four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, dashing Nazi…

African-American athlete Jesse Owens won the first of his four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, dashing Nazi leaders' hopes of Aryan domination at the games.

1929

The first Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic, the oldest and largest African-American parade in the United States, was…

The first Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic, the oldest and largest African-American parade in the United States, was held in Chicago.

1907

Ordination in Constantinople of Fr. Raphael Morgan, the first African-American Orthodox priest, "Priest-Apostolic" to…

Ordination in Constantinople of Fr. Raphael Morgan, the first African-American Orthodox priest, "Priest-Apostolic" to America and the West Indies.

1963

Civil rights movement: James Meredith becomes the first African American to graduate from the University of Mississippi.

Civil rights movement: James Meredith becomes the first African American to graduate from the University of Mississippi.

1968

James Anderson Jr. posthumously receives the first Medal of Honor to be awarded to an African American U.S. Marine.

James Anderson Jr. posthumously receives the first Medal of Honor to be awarded to an African American U.S. Marine.

1950

American tennis player Althea Gibson became the first African-American woman to compete at the U.S. National…

American tennis player Althea Gibson became the first African-American woman to compete at the U.S. National Championships.

1994

The Troubles: Members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) attack a crowded pub with assault rifles in Loughinisland, Nor

The Troubles: Members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) attack a crowded pub with assault rifles in Loughinisland, Northern Ireland. Six Catholic civilians are killed and five wounded. It was crowde�