* Today in Black History - March 12 * 1791 - Benjamin Banneker and Pierre Charles L'Enfant are commissioned to plan and develop Washington, DC. 1868 - Great Britain gives Basutoland, the status of protectorate at the request of King Moshweshwe. The request of protection was to prevent attacks by the Cape Colony. 1877 - The British annex Walvis Bay, an important deep water port in South West Africa. 1888 - Hall Johnson is born in Athens, Georgia. In 1925, he will organize and direct the Hall Johnson Choir as well as have significant success as an arranger. One of his early stage successes will be as choral director for the 1930 Broadway play "The Green Pastures" and the 1933 play, "Run Little Chillun," for which he will write the book and music. Johnson and his choir will move to Hollywood in 1936 to make the film version of "The Green Pastures." 1926 - The Savoy Ballroom, nicknamed the "Home of Happy Feet," opens in New York City. 1932 - Andrew Young is born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He will become a minister, influential leader in the civil rights movement, first African American ambassador to the United Nations, and mayor of Atlanta, Georgia. 1936 - Virginia Hamilton is born in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She will become an award-winning author of juvenile fiction including "House of Dies Drear," "M.C. Higgins the Great," and "Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush." 1940 - Alwyn Lopez "Al" Jarreau is born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He will become a singer and will be known for his recording of the theme for the television show, "Moonlighting". Al Jarreau will become the first vocalist in musical history to win Grammy Awards in three different categories (Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, and Pop). 1945 - New York becomes the first state to prohibit discrimination by race and creed in employment. 1955 - Charlie Parker joins the ancestors in New York City at the age of 34. He had been one of the founders of the modern jazz movement. 1962 - Darryl Strawberry is born in Los Angeles, California. He will become a professional baseball player and will play right field for the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees. He will set the New York Mets all-time records for most runs (662), most RBIs (733) and most home runs (252). He will be a member of the winning World Series championship teams in 1986 and 1996. 1964 - Malcolm X resigns from the Nation of Islam. 1982 - Charles Fuller wins the Pulitzer Prize for "A Soldier's Play." 2003 - Lynne Thigpen, actress, joins the ancestors at age 54 after succumbing to complications from an enlarged heart. She played "the chief" on "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" ______________________________________________________________ Munirah Chronicle is edited by Rene' A. Perry "The TRUTH shall make you free" E-mail: <[log in to unmask]> Archives: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/Munirah.html http://blackagenda.com/cybercolonies/index.htm _____________________________________________________________ To SUBSCRIBE send E-mail to: <[log in to unmask]> In the E-mail body place: Subscribe Munirah Your FULL Name ______________________________________________________________ Munirah(TM) is a trademark of Information Man. Copyright 1997 - 2007, All Rights Reserved by the Information Man in association with The Black Agenda.