On This Day In Black History.. July 29
1870:
George Dixon’s Birthday
George Dixon ( July 29, 1887 – January 6, 1908 ) was born in Africville, (Halifax), Nova Scotia. At 17 years of age he left for Boston to embark on what would end up being the MOST significant careers in Boxing. George was the first African-American to win a World title (June 27, 1890); he was also the first to hold a World title in 2 different weight classes …
1885:
The First National Convention of Black Women
The First National Convention of Black Women was held in Boston, MA
1909:
Chester Bomar Himes born
Himes born (July 29, 1909 – November 12, 1984) was an American writer born in Jeffery City, Missouri. His works include If He Hollers Let Him Go and a series of Harlem Detective novels. In 1958 he won France’s Grand Prix de Littérature Policière.
1918:
Congress asked to make lynching a federal crime
The National Liberty Congress of Colored Americans asked Congress to make lynching a federal crime.
1919:
First convention of the National Association of Negro Musicians
First convention of the National Association of Negro Musicians was held on this day in Chicago. It awarded its first scholarship to the young Marian Anderson.
1970:
Six days of rioting
One person was killed in six days of rioting in Hartford, Connecticut.
2002:
Physician Bernard A. Harris, Jr.
Physician Bernard A. Harris, Jr. becomes an astronaut. Harris became the first African-American to perform an extra-vehicular activity(spacewalk), during the second of his two Space Shuttle flights.
