* 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. He will join the ancestors on February 25, 1994. 1919 - Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson, the first African American to break racial barriers in modern 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. He will join the ancestors on October 24, 1972 in Stamford, Connecticut after succumbing to complications of diabetes. 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. He will join the ancestors on April 15, 2010. 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. 2006 - Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., joins the ancestors after succumbing to complications of a stroke and heart attack at the age of seventy eight. ______________________________________________________________ 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 - 2010, All Rights Reserved by the Information Man in association with The Black Agenda.