Performance artist1991"> Nick Cave is born in Jefferson City, Missouri. He will become widely known for his "soundsuits," among other projects.

Media commentator1991"> Armstrong Williams is born in Marion, South Carolina.

Music executive1991"> Dina Ruth Andrews is born on this date in Los Angeles, California.

Author1991"> & Publisher Tonya Bolden is born.

Raisin in the Sun, the first Broadway play written by an African American woman, debuts at the Barrymore Theater. Lorraine Hansberry's drama stars1991"> Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeal. It is also the first Broadway play of the modern era with a black director, Lloyd Richards.

Tenor1991"> jazz saxophonist Lester "Prez" Young died on this date in New York. He became one of the most influential musicians in the development of jazz and bop.

Lorraine Hansberry's play, A Raisin in the Sun won the New York Drama Critics Award on this date. The play opened on Broadway starring1991"> Sidney Poitier and Glynn Turman.

Physician and college president Dr. Wayne Jospeh Riley is born on this date in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Minister1991"> & Musician Rickey Payton is born

Corporate Executive1991"> Desiree Rogers is born.

Author1991"> & Bed & Breakfast Owner Monique Greenwood is born.

Jazz singer1991"> Billie Holiday died on this date in New York City. Some of her songs include When a Woman Love a Man and Strange Fruit.

Screenwriter1991"> & Author Antwone Quenton Fisher is born.

NBA All-Star Earvin1991"> "Magic" Johnson was born on this date in Lansing, Michigan. Johnson led his Michigan State University's basketball team to a National Championship in 1979. He went on to become a 5-time NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. His team's style of play with speed and fastbreaks became known as "Showtime". Johnson had to retire from the NBA due to contracting the HIV virus in 1991. He played on the famous U.S. Olympic "Dream Team" in 1992 and came back to play for one more season with the Lakers in 1995-96. He was inducted into Basketball's Hall of Fame in 2002. He now holds a minority share in the ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers and has opened several business opportunities in inner city communities around the U.S.

Genois Wilson, fire safety specialist, is born in Phillies County, Arkansas.

Minister1991"> Bishop Sedgwick Daniels is born.

Jazz orchestra leader1991"> Duke Ellington won the NAACP Spingarn Medal on this date for his great contributions to music.

Jazz pioneer Sidney Bechet died on this date in Paris, France. The clarinet and soprano saxophone player's most notable hit was1991"> Summertime.

Chicago Cubs shortstop1991"> Ernie Banks is named the National League MVP. Cubs fans will later vote him as the greatest Cub ever to play for the team.

Track and field star Florence Griffith Joyner was born on this date in Los Angeles, California. Joyner still holds the world record for the fastest time in the 100-meter dash.