Sharon Pratt Dixon becomes1991"> Washington D.C.’s first female African American mayor, succeeding Marion Barry.

Citing statistics of elevated infection rates, The U.S. Center for Disease Control calls HIV/AIDS a major health-risk for African Americans. In the states of1991"> New Jersey and New York, AIDS is the leading cause of death among African Americans between the ages of fifteen and forty-four.

Quincy Jones is awarded the1991"> Grammy Legend Award, making him the most nominated artist in the history of the awards with 76 nominations and 25 wins.

Shelby Steele's controversial book, The Content of Our Character, which deals with1991"> affirmative action and race relations, is awarded the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Rodney King, a black motorist, is senselessly beaten by four Los Angeles Police officers, after being stopped for a speeding violation. The incident is captured on videotape by a bystander and is broadcast throughout the country, enraging many blacks and making police brutality a topic of hot debate.

Team owners in the National Football League strip Phoenix, Arizona, of the right to host the 1993 Super Bowl over the state's failure to recognize1991"> Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.

Whoopi Goldberg wins an Oscar for her supporting role in the film1991"> Ghost, becoming the first African American woman to receive an Academy Award since Hattie McDaniel who won in 1940 for Gone With The Wind.

Activist and chairman of1991"> CORE Floyd McKissick died on this date. CORE is the Congress of Racial Equality.

The1991"> Smithsonian Institution approved the creation of the National African American Museum on this date.

Willy T. Ribbs becomes the first African American to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, the most prestigious NASCAR event of the year.

Wellington Webb is elected the first African American mayor of Denver, Colorado.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice1991"> Thurgood Marshall retired on this date. He was the first Black Supreme Court Justice, appointed by President Johnson in 1967, and served on the bench for twenty four years.

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee is dedicated. It will officially open its doors in September of 1991. The museum sits on the site of the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated.

Nelson Mandela was elected president of the African National Congress on this date. Mandela was the leader of the liberation organization until his imprisonment. The organization was banned during this time. After Mandela's release in 1990, the organization was reformed.

Ground is broken on the new1991"> Harold Washington wing of the DuSable Museum in Chicago. The museum, founded by Margaret Burroughs in 1961, is one of the oldest African American museums in the country.

Mary Schmidt Campbell assumes her role as dean of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. A noted art historian, Schmidt had previously served as commissioner of cultural affairs, director of the Studio of1991"> Harlem, and chair of the Smithsonian Institution's Advisory Committee that recommended creation of a national African American museum.

Comedian and actor1991"> Redd Foxx died of a heart attack on this date in Los Angeles, California. Foxx is best known for his role on the hit sitcom Sanford and Son. He recorded several comedy albums that sold millions and performed his stand-up routine in Las Vegas and around the country. His other television and film credits include The Royal Family, Cotton Comes to Harlem, and Harlem Nights.

Clarence Thomas was confirmed as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court on this date in Washington, D.C. Thomas filled the seat vacated by Justice1991"> Thurgood Marshall.

Judge Clarence Thomas was formally seated as a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court on this date.