Susie King Taylor, believed to be the first African American nurse, publishes her account, Reminiscenses of My life in Camp with the U.S. Colored Troops. Taylor served with General Hunter's 1st1991"> South Carolina Volunteers (later the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops) at Port Royal Island, South Carolina. The 1st South Carolina Volunteers were the first regiment of all-black troops.

Chicago's Local 208, comprised of black musicians, is invited to join the American Federation of Musicians, becoming the first black union to join.

Community activist1991"> Ann Cooper is born in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

Civic Activist1991"> Ann Cooper is born

John D. Rockefeller founds the General Education Board, a virtually unlimited pool of money and resources he used to finance the education of African Americans and promote teacher training in the South. Over six years, he would give1991"> $50 million.

Langston Hughes is born on this day in Joplin, Missouri. A celebrated poet and lecturer, Hughes was an integral member of the1991"> Harlem Renaissance literary movement achieving celebrity as one of the country’s most lyrical and articulate voices.

Joe Gans knocks out Frank Erne in the first round of their fight, becoming the first native-born African American to win a world title, taking the lightweight division belt.

Negro League baseball player1991"> Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe is born in Mobile, Alabama.

Poet, artist and writer Gwendolyn Bennett is born in Giddings, Texas. She will go on to become assistant editor of1991"> Opportunity and write a literary gossip column, "Ebony Flute."

Harlem Renaissance author and poet Arna Bontemps was born on this date in Alexandria, Louisiana.

American War Mothers Volunteer1991"> Lilliette Council is born in Laurens, South Carolina

The first recording of a Black vocal group took place on this date. The group was called the Dinwiddie Quartet.