This Day in Quiztory

#OTD Democratic politician Kenneth Gibson was elected the 36th mayor of Newark, New Jersey and the first African American to lead the city.

#OTD Lawyer and activist Vernon E. Jordan was appointed executive director of the National Urban League. Actor Brian White shines a spotlight on his legacy.

#OTD in 1867, Howard University was established in Washington, DC.

#OTD in 1946, hall of fame defensive end Elvin Bethea was born in Trenton, New Jersey.

We celebrate the life and legacy of actor and comedian Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, who passed away on this day in 1977.

#OTD in 1964, women's rights advocate Anna Julia Cooper passed away at the age of 105.

#OTD in 2000, the home of entrepreneur Alonzo Herndon was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

#OTD in 1956, Autherine Lucy became the first African American student to attend the University of Alabama. Recording artist Deborah Cox narrates.

#OTD in 2009, the United States Senate confirmed Eric Holder as the 82nd U.S. Attorney General and the first African American to hold the position. Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph narrates.

#OTD in 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested in Selma, AL during a march to protest voter registration practices. Actor Ernest L. Thomas narrates.

#OTD in 1972, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson passed away at the age of 60.

#OTD in 2001, General Colin Powell was sworn in as the 65th U.S. Secretary of State and the first African American to hold that position.

John H. Johnson, founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, was born in Arkansas City, AR in 1918.

#OTD Singer Kathy Sledge, of the group Sister Sledge, was born in Philadelphia, PA. Happy 64th birthday to her!

#OTD Benjamin Ward was sworn in as the 34th New York City Police Commissioner in 1984

#OTD Charlotte E. Ray, the country's first black female attorney, passed away in 1911 at age 60.

#OTD The late night talk show The Arsenio Hall Show premiered in 1989.

On this day in 1905, art historian James A. Porter was born in Baltimore, MD. Recording artist Bowlegged Lou narrates.

Happy 80th birthday to singer Carla Thomas! The "Queen of Memphis Soul" was born on this day in Memphis, TN.

On this day in 1981, the musical "Dreamgirls" made its debut on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre.

#OTD The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in Jackson, Tennessee.

#OTD Educator and civil rights activist Septima Clark, dubbed the "Mother of the Movement," passed away at the age of 89.

#OTD Football standout Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, was born in New Salem, Pennsylvania.

#OTD Soprano singer Marie Selika Williams became the first black artist to perform at the White House.

#OTD Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded on the campus of Howard University.

#OTD Record executive Dick Griffey, founder of SOLAR Records, was born in Nashville, TN. Actor Sinqua Walls narrates.

#OTD Denmark Industrial School, now known as Voorhees University, opened in Denmark, South Carolina.

#OTD The Washington Society of Colored Dentists, a precursor of the National Dental Association, was formed in the District of Columbia.

#OTD The Civil Rights Memorial, a granite fountain inscribed with the names of 41 martyrs of the movement, was dedicated in Montgomery, Alabama.

#OTD Andrew Hatcher was appointed associate press secretary under President John F. Kennedy making him the first African American to serve in the White House Press Office.

#OTD The first classes began at Howard University's newly established Medical Department with eight students and five faculty members.

#OTD Recording artist and four octave vocalist Minnie Riperton was born in Chicago, IL. Happy Heavenly Birthday!

#OTD The boxing world mourned the loss of heavyweight champion Smokin' Joe Frazier. Actress Tamara Tunie narrates.

#OTD Bob Douglas, regarded as the "father of black professional basketball," was born on the island of Saint Kitts in the British West Indies. Actress Caryn Ward narrates.

#OTD Hall of fame radio broadcaster Hal Jackson was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Music executive Cappriccieo Scates narrates.

#OTD President Ronald Reagan signed legislation designating a federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recording artist Nicci Gilbert narrates.

#OTD Publisher Nancy Maynard, one-time owner of he Oakland Tribune, was born in Harlem, NY.

#OTD The song "Baby Love," the second of five consecutive number one singles by The Supremes, began a four week run atop the Billboard Hot 100.

#OTD Abolitionist Levi Coffin, an active leader of the Underground Railroad, was born in New Garden, North Carolina.

#OTD Politician Andrew Young was elected the 55th mayor of Atlanta, Georgia.

#OTD Recording artist and musician Bootsy Collins was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

#OTD Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. became the first African American army general in the United States.

#OTD Jazz musician and composer Dizzy Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina. Recording artist Nicci Gilbert celebrates his life and legacy.

#OTD The U.S. Air Force Officer's Training School added the historical account of the Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots to their curriculum.

#OTD The United States Navy began admitting African American women to serve.

#OTD Olympic medalists John Carlos and Tommie Smith were suspended for raising their fists in protest atop the medal stand at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

#OTD Capital Savings Bank, the first bank organized and operated by African Americans, was founded.

#OTD The Jackson 5 made their first nationally broadcast television appearance on the Hollywood Palace Special.

#OTD Nathaniel "Sweetwater" Clifton, a pioneer for African American players in the NBA, was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. Actress Tamara Tunie narrates.

#OTD Inventor Granville T. Woods, also referred to as the "Black Edison," received a patent for his telephone system apparatus that he called telegraphony.

#OTD Inventor Isaac R. Johnson received a patent for his improvement on the bicycle frame.