*               Today in Black History - May 31         *

1870 - The first civil rights Enforcement Act, which protects the
        voting and civil rights of African Americans, is passed by
        Congress.  It provides stiff penalties for public officials
        and private citizens who deprive citizens of the suffrage and
        civil rights.  The measure authorizes the use of the U.S.
        Army to protect these rights.

1909 - The first NAACP conference is held at the United Charities
        Building in New York City with 300 African Americans and
        whites in attendance.  Ida B. Wells-Barnett, while speaking
        at the conference, condemns lynching as a "blight upon our
        nation, mocking our laws and disgracing our Christianity."

1917 - One of the first jazz records, "The Darktown Strutter's Ball,"
        is released.  It was written by songwriter and musician,
        Shelton Brooks.  It will become Brooks' most famous song.

1931 - Shirley Verrett is born in New Orleans, Louisiana.  She will
        become an operatic mezzo-soprano known worldwide for her
        compelling performance in Carmen.

1955 - The U.S. Supreme Court passes a second desegregation ruling,
        demanding "all deliberate speed" be used in the desegregation
        of public schools.

1961 - Judge Irving Kaufman orders the Board of Education of New
        Rochelle, New York to integrate their schools.

1961 - Chuck Berry's amusement park, Berryland, opens near St. Louis,
        Missouri.

1979 - Zimbabwe proclaims its independence.

1987 - John Dotson is named publisher of the Boulder, Colorado,
        "Daily Camera."  It is one of many distinctions for the noted
        journalist, including being the first African American
        reporter for Newsweek magazine and founding, in the mid-1970's,
        the Institute for Journalism Education, dedicated to training
        minority journalists.

1989 - Cito Gaston is named manager of the Toronto Blue Jays of
        baseball's American League.

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        The source for these facts are "Encyclopedia Britannica,
        "InfoBeat," "I, Too, Sing America - The African American
        Book of Days," "Before the Mayflower", "Black Firsts" and
        independent research by the Information Man.
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