Black History Month originated in 1926, founded by Carter G. Woodson and was created to celebrate achievements, births, important timelines, events and to remember those we lost.
February 23: This Day in Black History was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
1. W. E. B. Du Bois
1868: Born this day W. E. B. Du Bois, a sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author and editor. After graduating from Harvard, where he was the first African American to earn a doctorate, he became a professor of history, sociology and economics at Atlanta University. Du Bois was one of the co-founders of the NAACP. He passed away in 1963. (Photo: AP)
2. Elston Howard
1929: Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach, Elston Howard, was born on this day in St. Louis. He passed away in 1980 in New York City. (Photo: AP)
3. Lee Quincy Calhoun
1933: Olympic gold medalist Lee Quincy Calhoun, a double winner of 110 m hurdles was born on this day in Laurel, MS. He passed away in 1989.
4. Larry Demps
1949: Former member of the group the Dramatics, Larry Demps, was born on this day. He was a member from 1964-1981 and left the group deciding family was more important than being away on the road all the time. He became a school teacher after taking the required courses at the Board of Education. (Photo: YouTube)
5. Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones
1951: Retired NFL player Edward ‘Too Tall’ Jones who played 15 years for the Dallas cowboys was born on this day in Jackson, TN. (Photo: AP)
6. The Chiffons
1963: The Chiffons’ mega-hit ‘He’s So Fine’ charted on this day and would remain at #1 for four weeks. (Photo: Tumblr)
7. Constance Baker Motley
1965: Civil rights activist, lawyer, judge and state senator Constance Baker Motley was elected Manhattan Borough President on this day. She passed away in 2005. (Photo: AP)
8. Wilt Chamberlain
1968: Wilt Chamberlain became the first pro basketball player to score more than 25,000 on this day. (Photo: AP)
9. Niecy Nash
1970: Comedian, actress and Reality TV Star, Niecy Nash, was born on this day in Palmdale, CA. She is also a spokesperson of M.A.V.I.S (Mothers Against Violence in Schools).
10. Angela Davis
1972: Political activist Angela Davis was released from jail on this day.
11. Marvin Gaye
1983: Marvin Gaye’s ‘Sexual Healing’ won him a Grammy for the Best R&B Male Vocal Performance at the 25th Grammy Awards Ceremony.
12. Whitney Houston
1991: Whitney Houston reached number 1 with ‘All the Man That I Need’ her ninth chart topper in five years. (Photo: AP)
13. Gary Coleman
1993: Cary Coleman won a $1,280,000 lawsuit against his parents for high fees on this day.
14. Dionne Warwick
1994: Dionne Warwick attended a federal hearing by a Judiciary Juvenile Justice Sub-Committee in Washington, D.C. which labeled gangsta rap as ‘pornography’ on this day. (Photo: AP)
15. Melvin Franklin
1995: R&B singer and long-time member of the Temptations, Melvin Franklin, passed away on this day in Los Angeles, CA. He was 52 years old. (Photo: YouTube)
16. Brownie McGhee
1996: Walter Brown ‘Brownie’ McGhee was a Piedmont blues singer and guitarist passed away on this day. He was 80 years old. (Photo: Tumblr)
17. Tony Williams
1997: Drummer, composer, producer and bandleader Tillmon ‘Tony’ Williams passed away on this day in Boston, MA. He died of a heart attack at age 51. (Photo: YouTube)
18. Carl Anderson
2004: Carl Anderson, a singer, film and theatre actor best known for his portrayal of Judas Iscariot in the Broadway and film versions of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. He passed away on this day. The Leonard Cohen / Anjani song “Nightingale” from 2004 was made in his memory. (Photo: Tumblr)