* Today in Black History - May 8 *
1771 - Phillis Wheatley sails for England. Two years later, her book of
poetry, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral," will be
published in London.
1858 - John Brown holds an antislavery convention, which is attended by
twelve whites and thirty-four African Americans, in Chatham, Canada.
1858 - "The Escape," first play by an African American, is published by
William Wells Brown.
1910 - Mary Elfrieda Scruggs is born in Atlanta, Georgia. She will become
a professional piano player at the age of 6 in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. After marrying musician and band leader, John Williams,
she will perform as Mary Lou Williams. She will become an
accomplished arranger and composer and be a music educator in her
later years. In 1957, she will form Mary Records, becoming the first
woman to establish a record company. She will join the ancestors in
1981 in Durham, North Carolina.
1911 - Robert Leroy Johnson is born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He will
become a legendary blues musician while remaining relatively
obscure during his short lifetime. Recordings of Johnson, made by
by Columbia Records between 1936 and 1937, will be the foundation
for his reputation after he joins the ancestors in 1938. The
songs he recorded will influence the bluesmen of the 1960's during
the revival of the blues.
1915 - Henry McNeal Turner joins the ancestors in Windsor, Canada. He was an
influential minister in the AME Church and was appointed the first
African American chaplain in the U.S. Army.
1917 - An African American, Jesse Washington, is burned alive in a public
square in Waco, Texas. Fifteen thousand will look on in the incident
known later as the "Waco Horror."
1925 - A. Philip Randolph organizes the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
after failing to integrate the American Federation of Labor.
1932 - Charles (Sonny) Liston is born in St. Frances County, Arkansas. After
spending time as juvenile delinquent, he will be convicted of armed
robbery in 1950 and sentenced to prison. While in prison, he will
develop an interest in boxing. He will win the 1953 Golden Gloves
championship in 1953, after serving his sentence. He will become a
professional boxer and will win the World Heavyweight Boxing crown
in 1962 and defend it until he is defeated by Cassius Clay (Muhammad
Ali) in 1964. He will join the ancestors on December 30, 1970 and be
inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.
1951 - Philip Bailey is born in Denver, Colorado. He will become a rhythm and
blues singer and will enjoy his first fame with the group Earth, Wind
and Fire, which he joined in 1972. He will develop his unique four-
octave voice into a trademark sound and will be the hallmark of the
group's hits such as "Reasons," "Shining Star," "All 'N' All," and
"After The Love Has Gone." In 1983, he will start his solo career and
will enjoy success in both rhythm and blues and gospel venues. On
March 6, 2000 he will appear with Earth, Wind and Fire when they are
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1958 - President Eisenhower orders federalized National Guard troops removed
from Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
1965 - The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians is founded
by Muhal Richard Abrams.
1967 - Muhammad Ali is indicted for refusing induction in the U.S. Army.
1971 - Joe Frazier defeats Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden.
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