Educator and ex-wife of Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Isabelle Powell was born in this year in Savannah, Georgia.

The first black Greek sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha is founded at Howard University.

Jazz musician Lionel Hampton was born on this date in Louisville, Kentucky. Hampton is known as the "King of the vibes" for his instrument, the vibraphone. Hampton formed the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and recorded hit songs like Sunny Side of the Street, Flying Home, and Hamp's Boogie-Woogie.

Magazine Publisher Ruth Apilado is born

Former Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) librarian Julia Washington Bond is born on this date in Nashville, Tennessee. Bond is the wife of Horace Mann Bond and mother of Julian Bond.

Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, is born in Baltimore, Maryland.

Civic volunteer and educator Adine Ray is born in Chicago, Illinois.

A serious race riot breaks out in Springfield, Illinois causing widespread concern among civil rights leaders. This new consciousness of racial unrest leads civil rights leaders to organize what would become the founding meeting of the NAACP.

The National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses was founded by Martha Minerva Franklin on this date. The organization was founded in order to help end racial discrimination in the nursing profession.

Novelist Richard Wright, known for his novels Native Son and Black Boy is born in Natchez, Mississippi.

Social Worker & Travel Agent Elyse White is born.

Author Ann Petry was born on this date in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Some of Petry's literary works include Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad and The Street.

Army Major and Methodist Minister Rev. Harry Charles Tartt is born in Biloxi, Mississippi.

YMCA Executive & Civic Leader Quentin Mease is born.

U.S. Congressman, minister, and civil rights leader Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was born on this date in New Haven, Connecticut.

Black pro boxing pioneer Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns on this date and won the world heavyweight boxing championship. He was the first African American to do so.