Students in Rock Hill, South Carolina begin demanding jail time rather than pay fines as a form of1991"> protest that comes to be known as "jail-ins."

Author and entrepreneur1991"> Harriette Cole is born on this date in Baltimore, Maryland. Cole goes on to become an advice columnist, president of her own life coaching, style and literary production company (Harriette Cole Productions) and serves as fashion director and lifestyle editor for Essence magazine in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Entertainment Publisher1991"> & Producer Tanya-Monique Kersey is born.

Celebrated actor, comedian and director Eddie Murphy is born in Brooklyn, New York. Murphy begins performing in stand-up clubs in Long Island, New York at age fifteen. In 1980, he joins the cast of Saturday Night Live before launching a highly successful career as a screen actor.

Bank president1991"> Willard "Chuck" Lewis is born on this date in LaGrange, Georgia.

The Hon. Anita J. Ponder is born on this date in Fort Valley, Georgia.

NBA All-Star Isiah Thomas was born on this date in1991"> Chicago, Illinois. Thomas led Indiana University's basketball team to a National Championship before being drafted into the NBA by the Detroit Pistons. As a point guard, Thomas led Detroit's "Bad Boys" to back-to-back world championships in 1989 and 1990. Thomas was a 12-time All-Star and was named Finals MVP in 1990. Thomas went on to coach the Indiana Pacers from 2000 to 2003.

Interior Designer1991"> & Lighting Director Linda Marie Allen is born.

CORE's1991"> "Freedom Riders" begin their protest rides throughout the South on this date.

A freedom ride bus was attacked by whites on this date. The1991"> CORE sponsored bus was attacked with iron bars and a bomb was thrown inside.

Freedom riders were attacked on this date while making sure bus stations honored the Integration Laws that banned segregation of interstate buses.

Engineer1991"> & Construction Consultant Cheryl McKissack Felder is born.

U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy sent U.S. Marshals to Montgomery, Alabama on this date to keep the peace between Freedom Riders who were testing the new integrated bus station laws and outraged Southern Whites.

President1991"> John F. Kennedy named Will Mercer Cook Ambassador to the Niger Republic on this date. Cook was the first Black envoy named to an African nation.

Corporate Executive1991"> Deborah Elam is born.

Fashion Designer1991"> Steven Cutting is born.

Publisher1991"> 1969">Faithe A. Thomas-Colas is born.

World-class sprinter and jumper Carl Lewis was born on this date in1991"> Birmingham, Alabama. Lewis won 9 Olympic gold medals during his track and field career. He is tied for the most Olympic gold medals by an athlete in a career.

Educator1991"> John Leonard Harris is born.

Filmmaker1991"> Shari L. Carpenter is born.

U.S. Senator, Illinois Barack Obama is born

Journalist1991"> & Radio Host 1900">Michele Norris is born.

The first alien abduction case was brought to the public's attention on this date by Barney Hill and his wife.

Ossie Davis' play1991"> Purlie Victorious debuts on Broadway. The play stars Davis, Ruby Dee, Godfrey Cambridge, Alan Alda and Beah Richards, and is directed by Okoro Harold Johnson.

Dr. Margaret Burroughs and her husband, Charles, found the1991"> DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, Illinois.

Jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis was born on this date in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Theologian and minister Rev. Rose Niles McCrary is born on this date in1991"> New York City.

Albany students tested the Interstate Commerce Commission's ruling to bar1991"> segregated interstate bus and train stations by sitting in Whites-only waiting rooms in a nearby bus station on this date.

The Professional Golfer's Association eliminates their Caucasians only rule on this date.

The Albany Movement was formed on this date in Albany, Georgia.

Ernie Davis becomes the first African American to win the collegiate Heisman Trophy while a student at Elmira Free Academy in New York.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Ralph Abernathy and others speak at a rally held in Albany, Georgia during the Albany Movement against racial discrimination and the desegregation of public facilities.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Ralph Abernathy were arrested on this date in Albany, Georgia during a demonstration to desegregate Albany's public facilities. King, Abernathy, and their followers were accused of obstructing the sidewalk and parading without a permit during the demonstration.