The United States celebrates the first1991"> Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a national holiday. Celebrations occur across the country, including the Capital Repertory Theater's performance of Toni Morrison's Dreaming Emmitt, based on the life of Emmitt Till. John Wilson's bronze bust of Dr. King is also debuted at the U.S. Capitol Building, becoming the first statue of a black American to stand in the halls of Congress.

Jesse Jackson, Jr., a future congressman, spends his 21st birthday in jail, as result of his participation in a1991"> protest against apartheid at the South African Embassy.

Oprah Winfrey becomes the first African American woman to host a nationally syndicated talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show on this date. Oprah will go on to become one of the most powerful and successful individuals in showbusiness.

Edward J. Perkins was appointed U.S. Ambassador to1991"> South Africa on this date by President Ronald Reagan. Perkins served in this position from 1986 to 1989.

Social justice advocate Ella1991"> Josephine Baker died on this date on her birthday at the age of 83. During her life, she organized, advised, and worked with several civil rights organizations like the SCLC, NAACP, and SNCC.

Three black men are the victims of racial violence in the white neighborhood of Howard Beach in Queens, New York. A gang of whites assaults the black motorists, forced to leave their car behind because of engine trouble, when they go to phone a mechanic. One of the victims is hit by a car and killed while fleeing the aggressors.