Arthur Ashe, Born July 10, 1943 in Richmond, Virginia.

In 1963, Twenty-year-old Arthur Ashe becomes the first African-American to make the U.S. Davis Cup tennis team.

Later that year, as the #1-ranked American and one of the best players in the world, Arthur applied for a visa to play in the South African Open, a prestigious event. His visa was denied because of the color of his skin. He decided to take a bold stand. His call for

expulsion from South Africa from the tennis tour and Davis Cup play was

quickly supported by numerous prominent individuals and organizations, both

in and out of the tennis world. In effect, he raised the world’s awareness to the

oppressive form of government (apartheid) of South Africa.

He died February 6, 1993 in New York.