Category Archives: African-American Civil Rights

Arkansas troops bar African-American pupils 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1957)

1950s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Eyes On The Prize - (Part 2) Fighting Back 1957–1962' (Sept. 4, 1957, at 8:29)

(Wednesday, September 4, 1957; during the Little Rock Crisis, part of the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968)) — Governor Orval Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard today to prevent African-American students from enrolling in the all-white Little Rock Central High School, citing “imminent danger of tumult, riot and breach of peace and the doing of violence to persons and property.” Continue reading Arkansas troops bar African-American pupils 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1957) →

Senate confirms Marshall as first African-American justice #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 30 1967)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Thurgood Marshall Appointed to Supreme Court 1967'

(Wednesday, August 30, 1967) — The Senate today confirmed Thurgood Marshall as the first African American Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by a vote of 69 to 11. Continue reading Senate confirms Marshall as first African-American justice #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 30 1967) →

Senate passes first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1957)

1950s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'PBS LBJ Part 1' (Civil Rights Act of 1957 at 43:28)

(Wednesday, August 7, 1957, evening EDT) — The U.S. Senate tonight passed 72-18 the first federal civil rights legislation to become law in 82 years. Continue reading Senate passes first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1957) →

‘In the Heat of the Night’ opens in New York City 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1967)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights, Movies 1960s


Video: 'In the Heat of the Night' trailer

(Wednesday, August 2, 1967, 10:00 a.m. EDT) — In the Heat of the Night, an American mystery drama film about a black police detective from the North forces a bigoted Southern sheriff to accept his help with a murder investigation, opened this morning at Loew’s Capitol theater in New York City. Continue reading ‘In the Heat of the Night’ opens in New York City 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1967) →

President Johnson forms panel to assess causes of riots 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 27 1967)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Address to the Nation Regarding Civil Disorder, 7/27/67. MP593.'

(Thursday, July 27, 1967, 10:30 p.m. EDT) — President Lyndon B. Johnson announced tonight that he had appointed the Kerner Commission to investigate the epidemic of racial disorders and to recommend remedial measures to him, Congress, governors and mayors. Continue reading President Johnson forms panel to assess causes of riots 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 27 1967) →

Black militant H. Rap Brown says violence ‘as American as cherry pie’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 27 1967)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'New York Riots H. Rap Brown 1967' (July 27, 1967, at 0:27)

(Thursday, July 27, 1967; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–68)) — H. Rap Brown, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, told a press conference today in Washington that violence was “as American as cherry pie. Americans taught the black people to be violent. We will use that violence to rid ourselves of oppression if necessary.” Continue reading Black militant H. Rap Brown says violence ‘as American as cherry pie’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 27 1967) →

LBJ orders 4,700 Army paratroopers to riot-torn Detroit 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 24 1967)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Address to the Nation Regarding Civil Disorder, 7/24/67. MP593.'

(Monday, July 24, 1967, 11:58 p.m. EDT) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered 4,700 troops into the Detroit area today to help quell two days of rioting in the predominantly African-American inner city, saying “We will not tolerate lawlessness.” Continue reading LBJ orders 4,700 Army paratroopers to riot-torn Detroit 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 24 1967) →

1967 Detroit riot begins 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 23 1967)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Detroit Riots 1967'

(Sunday, July 23, 1967, 4:45 a.m. EDT) — The 1967 Detroit riot, also known as the 12th Street riot, one of the most violent riots in U.S. history, began today in the predominantly African-American inner city of Detroit. Continue reading 1967 Detroit riot begins 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 23 1967) →

1967 Newark riots erupt 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 12 1967)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Riots in Newark New Jersey 1967'

(Wednesday, July 12, 1967, 9:30 p.m. EDT) — Rioting erupted tonight in Newark, New Jersey, over the police beating of African-American taxicab driver John Smith at the corner of 15th Avenue and South Ninth Street. Continue reading 1967 Newark riots erupt 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 12 1967) →

Larry Doby breaks American League color barrier 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 5 1947)

1940s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Larry Doby Biography'

(Saturday, July 5, 1947) — Larry Doby, 23, made his debut with the Cleveland Indians today, becoming the first black player in the American League three months after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the National League. Continue reading Larry Doby breaks American League color barrier 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 5 1947) →