Video: 'Plessy v Ferguson and Segregation: Crash Course Black American History #21'
(Monday, May 18, 1896) — The U.S. Supreme Court, in Plessy v. Ferguson, today upheld the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation in public facilities under the doctrine of “separate but equal.” Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court upholds racial segregation 130 years ago today (May 18 1896)
Video: 'On April 18 1966, Bill Russell becomes first African American coach in NBA history at Boston Celtics'
(Monday, April 18, 1966; during the Civil Rights Movement) — Bill Russell was named player-coach of the Boston Celtics today, becoming the first African-American head coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Video: 'The Vicious KKK Attack Against Nat King Cole'
(Tuesday, April 10, 1956, early evening CST) — African-American singer Nat “King” Cole was attacked and beaten tonight by a group of racial segregationists while performing on stage in Birmingham, Alabama. Continue reading Singer Nat ‘King’ Cole beaten by racial segregationists in Birmingham, Alabama 70 years ago tonight (Apr 10 1956)
Video: 'Fighting Racism College Basketball Finals (History's Playlist)-Sports'
(Saturday, March 19, 1966, just after 9:00 p.m. EST); during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–68)) — The Texas Western Miners, the first basketball team to start five black players in a national title game, defeated the heavily favored all-white Kentucky Wildcats, 72-65, tonight to win the NCAA Championship played in College Park, Maryland. Continue reading First basketball team to start five black players in a national title game wins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 19 1966)
Video: 'Clips from Coretta Scott King's funeral'
(Tuesday, February 7, 2006, scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. EST) — Coretta Scott King, the widow of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., was laid to rest today, after a funeral where white-gloved ushers welcomed 15,000 people, including four presidents, three governors, three planeloads of Congress members, celebrities, gospel stars and leading figures of the civil rights movement. Continue reading At Mrs. King’s funeral, a mix of elegy and politics 20 years ago this hour (Feb 7 2006)
Video: 'Why did they allow it to sail!? - Al Salam Boccaccio 98 Ferry Disaster (What The History E02)'
(Friday, February 3, 2006, 1:33 a.m. Eastern European Time) — An Egyptian passenger ferry carrying more than 1,400 people sank in the Red Sea overnight during stormy weather, killing more than 1,000 passengers in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the region’s history, Egyptian officials said today. Continue reading Egyptian ferry sinks in Red Sea, killing more than 1,000 people 20 years ago this hour (Feb 3 2006)
Video: 'Coretta Scott King: The Unsung Hero of the Civil Rights Movement'
(Monday, January 30, 2006, approximately 8:30 p.m. PST) — Coretta Scott King, known first as the wife of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., then as his widow, then as an avid proselytizer for his vision of racial peace and nonviolent social change, died today at a hospital in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. She was 78. Continue reading Civil rights icon Coretta Scott King, 78, dies 20 years ago this hour (Jan 30 2006)
Video: '20th January 1986: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day first observed as a federal holiday'
(Monday, January 20, 1986) — Singing the ballads of the civil rights movement, thousands of people marched slowly through Atlanta today as the nation marked the first Federal holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Continue reading U.S. observes first federal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. 40 years ago today (Jan 20 1986)
Video: '1966 Robert C. Weaver Becomes First African American To Be Appointed to Cabinet' (Jan. 18, 1966)
(Thursday, January 13, 1966, 4:15 p.m. EST; during the Civil rights movement) — Robert C. Weaver was nominated today to become the first African American to serve as a member of the U.S. president’s cabinet by President Lyndon B. Johnson, specifically as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Video: 'Ku Klux Klan - An American History | Part 1 | Free Documentary History' (Dec. 24, 1865, at 3:30)
(Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 1865; during the Reconstruction era) — Just six days after the 13th Amendment, formally abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States (except as punishment for a crime), was officially proclaimed in effect, six veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club today in Pulaski, Tennessee — a group that would become the first incarnation of the Ku Klux Klan. Continue reading Original Ku Klux Klan formed in Pulaski, Tennessee 160 years ago today (Dec 24 1865)
