* Today in Black History - January 31 *
1863 - The first African American Civil War regiment, the South Carolina
Volunteers, are mustered into the United States Army.
1865 - Congress abolishes slavery with the 13th Amendment to the
Constitution. The vote in the House is 121 to 24.
1914 - Arnold Raymond Cream is born in Merchantville, New Jersey. He
will become "Jersey Joe Walcott" and World Heavyweight Champion
at the age of 37. After retiring from boxing, he will stay
active in boxing as a referee and later will become chairman of
the New Jersey Athletic Commission. He will be elected to the
International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
1919 - Jackie Robinson, the first African American to break racial
barriers in major league baseball, is born in Cairo, Georgia.
He will start playing baseball in the Negro Leagues in
preparation for a career as a physical education coach. His
major league baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers will
begin in 1947 and he will play for nine years before leaving
baseball to become a bank official, land developer, and
director of programs to fight drug addiction. Among his
honors will be the NAACP's Spingarn Medal in 1956.
1920 - Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity is incorporated at Howard University.
1925 - Benjamin Hooks is born in Memphis, Tennessee. He will become
a public defender and minister after graduating from DePaul
University Law School. Through this work, he will become a
prominent leader in the civil rights movement. In 1965, he
will become the first African American criminal court judge in
Tennessee. He will also become the first African American to
become a commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission.
In 1977, he will become the executive director of the NAACP.
1928 - Harold "Chuck" Willis is born in Atlanta, Georgia. He will become
a rhythm and blues singer and be best known for his recording of
"C.C. Rider" in 1957. He will join the ancestors in 1958 after
succumbing to peritonitis.
1931 - Ernest "Ernie" Banks is born in Dallas, Texas. He will become the
first African American baseball player to wear a Chicago Cubs
uniform (September 17, 1953). Banks will also be quick to say
"Let's play two!" Banks will be the Cubs' outstanding shortstop
from 1954 to 1960. In 1961 he will be moved to left field, then to
first base, where he will spend the rest of his career. In
1969, Ernie Banks will be voted the Cub's best player ever by
Chicago fans. 'Mr. Cub' will retire in 1971. He will be elected
to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.
1934 - Etta Moten sings for President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt
at a White House dinner for family and friends. Moten, a stage
and screen star, sings songs from her role in the movie
"Golddiggers of 1933 and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot." It is the
first time an African American actress performs at the White
House.
1962 - Lt. Commander Samuel L. Gravely assumes command of the destroyer
escort, USS Falgout. The Navy reports that he is the first
African American to command a U.S. warship.
1963 - James Baldwin's influential collection of essays "The Fire Next
Time" is published.
1972 - Aretha Franklin sings "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" at Mahalia
Jackson's funeral. Over 40,000 mourners view the coffin.
1988 - Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams is named Most
Valuable Player for leading his team to a 42-10 win over the
Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. He is the first African
American quarterback to play in a Super Bowl game.
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