Abram Hill, Frederick O'Neal and others found the American Negro Theater in New York City. The theater launches the careers of Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee, Sidney Poitier and many others.

Non-Profit Manager 1853">LaVerne Kenon Sci is born.

Community activist Sokoni Karanja is born in Topeka, Kansas.

Civil rights leader Julian Bond is born in Nashville, Tennessee.

Poet Sterling Plumpp is born in Chicago, Illinois.

Foundation president Hugh C. Burroughs is born on this date in Trindad-Tobago, West Indies.

Law Professor Joyce Hughes is born in Gadsen, Alabama.

Educator Dr. William King is born in Cleveland, Ohio.

Banking executive Alma Brown is born in Brooklyn, New York.

Denver Mayor Wellington Webb is born in Chicago, Illinois.

Georgia Congressman John Lewis is born in Troy, Alabama.

Actress Hattie McDaniel wins an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in Gone With the Wind, becoming the first African American to win an Oscar.

Richard Wright's first novel, Native Son, launches his career and he becomes the first African American author to have a novel featured as a Book-of-the-Month Club selection.

The United States Postal Service issues a stamp bearing the likeness of Booker T. Washington. It is the first stamp to honor an African American.

Contemporary jazz composer Herbie Hancock is born in Chicago, Illinois. He became a household name following his release of the album "Headhunters." Some of his other well-known albums include "Manchild" and "Mwandishi."

James A. Bland's song, Carry Me Back to Old Virginny, was chosen as Virginia's state song on this date.

NBA basketball player Jerry Harkness is born in Harlem, New York.

Journalist Mary Ellen Butler is born.

Retired NCAA basketball official William Baxter was born on this date in Harlem, New York.

Television reporter Bernard Shaw was born on this date in Chicago, Illinois. Shaw gained fame for anchoring and reporting the news for CNN during the first Persian Gulf War.

Painter Horace Pippin had his first "One-Man Show" on this date at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Some of Pippin's paintings include Harmonizing, Zachariah, and End of the War.

New York City's famed Cotton Club closes its doors for good on this day. In the few years that it had been open, the Club featured such performers as Duke Ellington and Lena Horne.

Black nationalist Marcus Garvey died on this date in England. Garvey established the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and started the "Back to Africa" Movement in the 1920's.

Attorney and corporate executive Wayman Smith, III is born on this date in St. Louis, Missouri.

Track and field star Wilma Rudolph was born on this date in Bethlehem, Tennessee. Rudolph overcame childhood polio and became the first American woman to win 3 gold medals at one Olympic Games in Rome in 1960.

Aerospace Engineer Renaldo Jensen is born

Harry Johnson, Vietnam veteran and career military officer, is born in Tip Top, Virginia.

Teacher & High School Principal George McKenna III is born

Paul Joseph Adams III, president of Providence-St. Mel, is born in Montgomery, Alabama.

North Carolina College Law School opened on this date. It became North Carolina's second Black law school.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Selective Service and Training Act into law. The Act contains anti-discrimination clauses to insure racial integration. Within a few days, Assistant Secretary of War Robert Patterson issues a memo declaring the usual policy of segregation in the Army will continue, in direct violation of the bill.

Dr. Charles Drew was named full-time medical director of the plasma project in Great Britain on this date.

Literary Agent & Publishing Consultant Marie Dutton Brown is born.

Benjamin O. David, Sr. assumes the rank of Brigadier General of the U.S. Army, becoming the country’s highest ranking black officer and first black general.

The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club was incorporated on this date in New York.

Dermatologist 1909">Dr. Rene M. Earles is born on this date in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Broadcast journalist Bob Petty is born in Memphis, Tennessee.

Folk Singer & Actor Josh White, Jr. is born.

Actor, writer, and comedian Richard Pryor was born on this date in Peoria, Illinois. Pryor established himself as a superior stand-up comedian in the 1960s and 70s. He went on to have a film and television career. Some of his film credits include Which Way is Up?, Silver Streak, and Uptown Saturday Night. He also wrote the screenplay for Blazing Saddles. Pryor's films, television show, and stand-up routines serve as inspiration for future comics.

Journalist Carole Simpson is born.

Legendary singer Dionne Warwick is born in East Orange, New Jersey.

Composer, arranger, conductor, musician, and music educator John Ross was born on this date in Boston, Massachusetts.