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Black Facts for April 16^th

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Murphy, Isaac Burns (1861-1896) - Birthday

Isaac Murphy was born on April 16, 1861 as Isaac Burns near Frankfort, Kentucky on a farm to parents James Burns and a mother whose name is unknown.

Source: Black Past

Apr

16

1861

Martin Lawrence

Martin Lawrence is an American actor and comedian who has starred in numerous Hollywood hits. He was born on April 16, 1965 to John and Chlora Lawrence. John Lawrence was enlisted in the U.S. military and serving in Frankfurt, Germany at the time so Martin was born there. He was named after the

Source: Black History Resources

Apr

16

1965

Wash., D.C. Slave Emancipation and Reparations

On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill ending slavery in the District of Columbia. Passage of this act came

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1862

Black Lieutenant General

Maj. Gen. B.O. Davis Jr., assistant deputy chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, named lieutenant general, the highest rank attained by a Black to date in the armed services.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1965

New Constitution Banned Segregation

Louisiana voters approved new constitution and elected state officers, including the first Black lieutenant governor, Oscar J. Dunn, and the first Black state treasurer, Antoine Dubuclet. Article Thirteen of the new constitution banned segregation in public accommodation: All the persons shall

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1868

Lelia Smith Foley becomes the first African A

Lelia Smith Foley becomes the first African American woman to be elected mayor of a U.S. city (Taft, OK)

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1973

Akon is an American Hip Hop artist who has produced several platinum albums, appeared in television and film roles, received several Grammy nominations and owns two record labels. He was born Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Bongo Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam in St. Louis, Missouri on April

Source: Black History Resources

Apr

16

1973

Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in the year 1914, Ralph Ellison was a celebrated National Book Award winner for his novel “Invisible Man”. He was awarded this this title in the year 1953. Even though he was best known for this novel, that is not all Ralph Ellison was. Ralph

Source: Black History Resources

Apr

16

1994

South African black leader Nelson Mandela made an appearance at a huge pop conce

South African black leader Nelson Mandela made an appearance at a huge pop concert held in his honor during a visit to Britain

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1990

Ralph Ellison dies

c, author of Invisible Man, a searing novel about black life in America, dies.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1994

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The leading scorer in the history of NBA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won 6 of the most prestigious NBA titles, five of which were with the Los Angeles Lakers over a period of 20 years. His list of achievements is one of the most extraordinary in league’s history. Not only was Kareem a member of six NBA

Source: Black History Resources

Apr

16

1947

Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross was one of the most successful R&B vocalists of the late 20th century, famous for his lush voice, soulful and romantic ballads, and his many collaborations with such stars as Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson. Luther Vandross got his big break in the 1970s, as

Source: Fact Monster - Black History

Apr

16

2003

Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar born

Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar born Lewis F. Alcindor, Jr. in New York City.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1947

Louisiana Segregationists Excommunicated

Three Louisiana segregationists were excommunicated by Archbisop Joseph Rummel for continuing their opposition to his order for integration of New Orleans parochial schools.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1962

Singer Roy Hamilton born

Baritone singer Roy Hamilton was born in Leesburg, Georgia. Hamiltons biggest hits of the 50s were Unchained Melody and Youll Never Walk Alone.

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1929

The District of Columbia Emancipation Act (1862)

District of Columbia Emancipation Act

Source: Black Past

Apr

16

1862

Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett

Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett becomes the first African American to serve in a diplomatic post for the U.S. (Consul-General to Haiti and the Dominican Republic)

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1869

Tucker, Walter R., III (1957- ) - Death

When Walter Tucker II died of cancer during his third termas Compton'smayor, younger Tucker ran for the mayor's post and won the special election onApril 16, 1991.

Source: Black Past

Apr

16

1991

First Scat Singing Ever Recorded

Don Redman performed the first recorded scat vocals while a member of Fletcher Hendersons Orchestra. Scat singing is an improvised vocal instrumentation composed of nonsense syllables. Don Redman scatted a few bars of My Papa Doesnt Two-Time No Time, recorded in New York by Columbia. Although Louis

Source: Blackfacts.com

Apr

16

1924

Brice, Carol (1918-1985) - Birthday

Contralto singer Carol Brice was born in Sedalia, North Carolina on April 16, 1918 into a musical family.

Source: Black Past

Apr

16

1918

Hemphill, Essex (1957-1995) - Birthday

The oldest of five children, Hemphill was born on April 16, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Mantalene and Warren Hemphill.

Source: Black Past

Apr

16

1957

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , also called (until 1971) Lew Alcindor, byname of Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. (born April 16, 1947, New York, New York, U.S.), American collegiate and professional basketball player who, as a 7-foot 2-inch- (2.18-metre-) tall centre, dominated the game throughout the 1970s

Source: Brittanica

Apr

16

1947

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