* Today in Black History - April 17 * 1818 - For unknown reasons, Daniel Coker is expelled from the AME Church. Coker had been a key organizer in the church's early history and was elected its first bishop, a position he declined possibly because of his fair complexion. 1944 - The 99th Fighter Squadron flies its 400th mission and completes its 2,592nd sortie. 1947 - Jackie Robinson bunts safely for his 1st major league hit. 1978 - Thomas W. Turner, founder of the Federation of Colored Catholics, civil rights pioneer and charter member of the NAACP, joins the ancestors in Washington, D.C., at the age of 101. 1980 - Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia, gains its independence. Reggae stars Bob Marley and the Wailers and others perform in the celebration festivities. Robert Mugabe will be sworn in the following day as prime minister of the newly formed nation. 1987 - Julius Erving becomes the 3rd NBA player to score 30,000 points. 1990 - Reverend Ralph Abernathy, civil rights activist, joins the ancestors at the age of 64 in Atlanta, Georgia. 1991 - African American and African leaders meet in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, in the first Summit Meeting of Africans and African Americans. The summit, organized by the Reverend Leon H. Sullivan, calls for closer ties between Africans and African Americans and urges Western governments to cancel Africa's foreign debt. "Hold on, Africa!" the Rev. Sullivan says in his keynote speech. "We are coming! Home of our heritage, land of our past, we can help. We have 2 million college graduates in America. We earn $300 billion a year. Three centuries ago they took us away in a boat, but today we have come back in an airplane." 1993 - A federal jury in Los Angeles convicts two former police officers of violating the civil rights of beaten motorist Rodney King. Two other officers are acquitted. 2003 - Earl King, Rhythm & Blues guitarist, joins the ancestors at age 69 after succumbing to complications of diabetes. His hits include the Mardi Gras favorite "Big Chief" and "Come On (Let the Good Times Roll)." ______________________________________________________________ Munirah Chronicle is edited by Mr. 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 - 2016, All Rights Reserved by the Information Man in association with The Black Agenda.