Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who wins the gold medals in the heptathlon with a record 7291 points and the long jump, is born on this date in East St. Louis, Illinois.

Sculptor Augusta Savage died on this date in Saugerties, New York. Savage's work reflects different aspects of African American culture. Some of his sculptures include Gamin and The Harp. The Harp was inspired by the Negro spiritual "Lift Every Voice and Sing".

Richard Hunt, sculptor, becomes the youngest artist to exhibit at the World’s Fair in Seattle, Washington.

Wilt Chamberlain becomes the first basketball player to score 100 points in a game. Playing for the Philadelphia Warriors, Chamberlain makes 36 field goals and 28 free throws in a game against the New York Knickerbockers, winning the game by 22 points.

Beauty products entrepreneur Lisa Price is born on this date in Brooklyn, New York.

Lawyer 1916">A. Scott Bolden is born.

Poet and author William Braithwaite died on this date in New York City. Some of his books include The House of Falling Leaves and The Book of Elizabethan Verse.

Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Robinson was also the first African American in over 100 years to play baseball in the Major Leagues. His ten year career with the Brooklyn Dodgers saw them win six penants.

Actor Wesley Snipes was born on this date in Orlando, Florida. Some of Snipes' films include New Jack City, Jungle Fever, and the Blade trilogy.

South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on this date. Mandela served 27 years in prison. He would go on to become President of South Africa and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

New Orleans Catholic schools were ordered to integrate on this date by Roman Catholic Archbishop Joseph Rummel.

Singer, Songwriter & Producer BeBe Winans is born.

Boxer Sonny Liston won the Heavyweight World Boxing Championship on this date. He knocked-out Floyd Patterson in the first round.

James Meredith became the first Black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi on this date.

Former pro boxing heavy weight champion Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield was born on this date in Atmore, Alabama. Holyfield is the first and only four-time pro boxing heavy weight champion.

Investment banker and Gospel singer Carla Ann Harris is born on this date in Fort Arthur, Texas.

Edward Brooke is elected Attorney General of Massachusetts. While in office, he will root out corruption and later be elected to the United States Senate.

Leroy Johnson became the first Black elected to Georgia's state legislature since Reconstruction on this date.

President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order on this date barring racial discrimination in federally financed housing.