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This Date in History:
October 21 1600
Sports/Outdoors
  Double Dutch, fun and great exercise!
An outline of Double Dutch is celebrated on this date's Registry.
November 4 1750
Sports/Outdoors
  Jean Du Sable, explorer who founded Chicago.
On this date, we recall the 1750 birth of Jean-Baptist-Point Du Sable.
November 12 1770
Sports/Outdoors
  York, a valuable Black explorer with the Lewis and Clark Expedition!
The birth of York in 1770 is celebrated on this date.
March 23 1784
Sports/Outdoors
  Tom Molineaux was a boxing pioneer!
Tom Molineaux, a Black boxerm was born on this date in 1784.
April 6 1798
Sports/Outdoors
  James P. Beckwourth, explorer born.
James Pierson Beckwourth was born on this date in 1798.
August 20 1802
Sports/Outdoors
  George Bonga, an early settler in Minnesota. .
On this date we celebrate the birth of George Bonga in 1802.
January 24 1805
Sports/Outdoors
  Allen Light, a 19th century black mariner!
*The birth of Allen Light in 1805 is celebrated on this date.
March 20 1853
Sports/Outdoors
  George Godfrey was a boxing pioneer!
*George Godfrey was born on this date in 1853.
June 14 1854
Sports/Outdoors
  Nat Love, a cowboy of excellence!
*The birth of Nat Love in 1854 is celebrated on this date.
July 11 1858
Sports/Outdoors
  Black legacy is strong in major league baseball.
The Registry looks briefly at blacks and major league baseball (MLB) on this date.
April 16 1861
Sports/Outdoors
  Issac B. Murphy was a horse racing legend.
This date marks the birth of Isaac Burns Murphy in 1861.
July 3 1861
Sports/Outdoors
  Peter Jackson, the "Black Prince".
On this date in 1861, Peter Jackson was born.
August 8 1866
Sports/Outdoors
  Explorer from the heart, Matthew Henson.
*Matthew Henson was born on this date in 1866.
November 14 1869
Sports/Outdoors
  Black contributions to American professional football are many. . .
African-American contributions in professional American football are many.
January 16 1870
Sports/Outdoors
  Willie Simms, winner of all of Triple Crown races.
Willie Simms was born on this date in 1870.
April 11 1870
Sports/Outdoors
  African-Americans and golf, a brief history..
*With the week of the Masters Golf Tournament underway, African-American history in American golf is remembered on this date.
July 29 1870
Sports/Outdoors
  George Dixon, an early champion boxer
On this date in 1870, George Dixon was born.
December 5 1870
Sports/Outdoors
  Bill Pickett was a cowboy legend.
William Pickett was born on this date in 1870.
March 13 1873
Sports/Outdoors
  Joe Walcott, the true master of the ring!
*Joe Walcott was born on this date in 1873.
November 25 1874
Sports/Outdoors
  Joe Gans, boxing's lightweight legend.
On this date, Joe Gans, African-American professional boxer, was born in 1874.
March 27 1876
Sports/Outdoors
  A Kentucky Derby icon, Alonzo "Lonnie" Clayton
*The birth of Alonzo “Lonnie” Clayton in 1876 is celebrated on this date.
March 31 1878
Sports/Outdoors
  World Heavyweight Champ and legend, Jack Johnson
*Jack Johnson was born on this date in 1878.
November 26 1878
Sports/Outdoors
  Marshall Taylor, cyclist and sports trailblazer!
This date marks the birth in 1878, of "Major" Taylor.
August 7 1879
Sports/Outdoors
  A first for black Rugby, James Peters!
*James Peters was born on this date in 1879.
September 17 1879
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseball legend Rube Foster, a complete player.
*On this date, we the recall the birth of Andrew "Rube" Foster in 1879.
October 3 1879
Sports/Outdoors
  Jesse Stahl, a Black cowboy legend!
*The birth of Jesse Stahl in 1879 is celebrated on this date.
December 5 1879
Sports/Outdoors
  John M. Shippen, Jr., golf's first black professional.
John Mathew Shippen, Jr.
March 12 1880
Sports/Outdoors
  Bobby Marshall, a Minnesota Icon . . .
*Bobby Marshall was born on this date in 1880.
April 12 1882
Sports/Outdoors
  Jimmy Winkfield, a horse racing legend!
Jimmy Winkfield was born on this date in 1882.
March 3 1884
Sports/Outdoors
  One of the first African-American Olympians, John Baxter Taylor!
*John Baxter Taylor Jr.
April 15 1884
Sports/Outdoors
  John Lloyd, baseball player and manager.
On this date, John Henry Lloyd was born in 1884.
March 19 1887
Sports/Outdoors
  Jose' Mendez was a Negro League star!
*Jose’ Mendez was born on this date in 1887.
July 1 1888
Sports/Outdoors
  Ben Taylor played the game like few others could!
Ben Taylor was born on this date in 1888.
April 28 1889
Sports/Outdoors
  "Bullet Joe" Rogan, Negro League Great!
*The birth of Wilbur Rogan in 1889 is celebrated on this date.
January 25 1890
Sports/Outdoors
  Pro hockey and African heritage, a story!
*The Registry remembers black contributions in the sport of professional hockey on this date.
March 31 1890
Sports/Outdoors
  George Dixon, the first Black boxing champion
*On this in 1890, George “Little Chocolate” Dixon knocked out Cal McCarthy.
March 7 1891
Sports/Outdoors
  College basketball holds a rich African-American history.
*With March Madness beginning, on this date we remember African-Americans in the history of American college basketball.
January 26 1892
Sports/Outdoors
  Stunt-flyer Bessie Coleman was "a first."
*Bessie Coleman was born on this date in 1892.
February 20 1892
Sports/Outdoors
  John Donaldson, a baseball great. . .
*John Donaldson was born on this date in 1892.
December 3 1892
Sports/Outdoors
  American college football is rich with black history. . .
College football is in the air and African-American involvement at the collegiate level is rich with tradition.
December 27 1892
Sports/Outdoors
  First black college football game played!
On this date in 1892, the first Black College Intercollegiate football game was played.
January 27 1894
Sports/Outdoors
  Fritz Pollard was a football architect. . .
*Fritz Pollard was born on this date in 1894.
August 5 1895
Sports/Outdoors
  Tiger Flowers "He fought em all"
*Theodore “Tiger” Flowers was born on this date in 1895.
October 14 1896
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseball's Oscar Charleston, one of the best all around ball players
Oscar Charleston was born on this date in 1896.
January 5 1897
Sports/Outdoors
  Hubert Julian, "The Black Eagle".
The birth of Hubert Julian in 1897 is celebrated on this date.
July 27 1897
Sports/Outdoors
  William J. Powell, a pioneer in aviation. . .
The birth of William J.
January 23 1898
Sports/Outdoors
  Ora Mae Washington showed great athletic skills. . .
*On this date in 1898 we celebrate the birth of Ora Mae Washington.
October 26 1899
Sports/Outdoors
  William "Judy" Johnson, Negro League Star!
William Julius ("Judy") Johnson was born on this date in 1899, in Snow Hill, MD.
November 5 1899
Sports/Outdoors
  James Banning, an aviation first!
James Banning was born on this date in 1899.
August 7 1900
Sports/Outdoors
  Maceo Breedlove loved baseball!
*Maceo "Breed" Breedlove was born on this date in 1900.
February 20 1901
Sports/Outdoors
  Frank Duncan, a baseball original!
*The birth of Frank Duncan in 1901 is celebrated on this date.
March 2 1901
Sports/Outdoors
  A true power hitter, George Suttles!
*George Suttles was born on this date in 1901.
May 9 1901
Sports/Outdoors
  "Turkey" Stearnes, Icon of the Negro Leagues!
Norman (“Turkey”) Stearnes was born on this date in Nashville, TN, in 1901.
July 7 1902
Sports/Outdoors
  Exciting to watch, Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe . . .
On this date in 1902, Ted Radcliffe, an African-American baseball player in the Negro Leagues, was born.
May 17 1903
Sports/Outdoors
  The fastest man in baseball, "Cool Papa" Bell!
On this date in 1903, James “Cool Papa” Bell was born in Starksville, Mississippi.
November 25 1903
Sports/Outdoors
  William Hubbard, an Olympic first!
William Hubbard was born on this date in 1903.
June 12 1904
Sports/Outdoors
  Willie Foster was a control pitcher. .
On this date in 1904, William Foster was born.
September 1 1904
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black wins Olympic medal!
*On this date in 1904, the first Black Olympic medal winner was crowned.
October 10 1905
Sports/Outdoors
  A baseball legend, Willie Wells!
Willie Wells was born on this date in 1905.
January 21 1906
Sports/Outdoors
  Willa Brown was an aviation pioneer. . .
On this date, we mark the birth of Willa Brown in 1906.
July 7 1906
Sports/Outdoors
  Satchel Paige, baseball pitching legend
Satchel Paige was born on this date in 1906.
August 10 1906
Sports/Outdoors
  From the sandlots to the big leagues, Willie Wells!
*Willie Wells was born on this date in1906.
November 5 1906
Sports/Outdoors
  Airman Chauncey Spencer integrates Air Force--at a cost
Chauncey Spencer was born on this date in 1906.
February 9 1907
Sports/Outdoors
  Charles Anderson, the father of Black aviation . . .
*Charles Anderson was born this date in 1907.
February 27 1907
Sports/Outdoors
  Hilton Smith was a great baseball player.
*On this date in 1907, Hilton Smith was born.
September 8 1907
Sports/Outdoors
  In any league, Buck Leonard was great.
This date in 1907 marks the birth of Buck Leonard.
December 18 1907
Sports/Outdoors
  "Jacko" Maxwell, the voice of the Negro Leagues!
Sherman "Jocko" Maxwell was born on this date in 1907.
December 26 1908
Sports/Outdoors
  Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight boxing champ!
On this date in 1908, Jack Johnson became the first African American to win the world heavyweight boxing title.
April 6 1909
Sports/Outdoors
  African American is first to reach the North Pole!
On this date in 1909 Matthew Henson became the first man to reach the North Pole.
July 10 1909
Sports/Outdoors
  The St. Paul Colored Gophers, a special team.
The St.
September 29 1909
Sports/Outdoors
  Eddie Tolan, "The Midnight Express"
Eddie Tolan was born on this date in 1909.
March 15 1910
Sports/Outdoors
  Jimmie Crutchfield was "the Little Big Man" of Black baseball
*On this date in 1910, Jimmie Crutchfield was born.
November 13 1911
Sports/Outdoors
  Buck O'Neil, a major league icon in baseball!
Buck O'Neil was born on this date in 1911.
December 21 1911
Sports/Outdoors
  Josh Gibson, one of baseball's greatest hitters!
On this date in 1911, Josh Gibson was born.
January 22 1912
Sports/Outdoors
  An icon of Black Baseball, the Homestead Grays!
on this date in 1912 the Homestead Grays Baseball organization was founded.
December 12 1912
Sports/Outdoors
  Henry Armstrong, record setting boxer.
On this date, we mark the birth of Henry Armstrong in 1912.
May 2 1913
Sports/Outdoors
  John Dendy, Ethiopian golf wiz!
John Dendy’s birth in 1913 is celebrated on this date.
July 3 1913
Sports/Outdoors
  Lorenzo "Piper" Davis excelled as an athlete. .
This date marks the birth of Lorenzo "Piper" Davis, one of the state's all-time best athletes-major- league caliber in both baseball and basketball.
September 12 1913
Sports/Outdoors
  Jesse Owens, Olympic great.
This date marks the birth of Jesse Owens in 1913.
October 25 1913
Sports/Outdoors
  Bill Spiller helped change Caucasian-only golf tournament rules
The birth of Bill Spiller, an African-American golfer, in 1913 is remembered on this date.
November 9 1913
Sports/Outdoors
  Teddy Rhodes was a great golfer.
*The birth of Ted Rhodes is marked on this date in 1913.
December 13 1913
Sports/Outdoors
  Archie Moore was a colorful boxing great.
*This date marks the birth of Archie Moore in 1913.
January 31 1914
Sports/Outdoors
  Jersey Joe Walcott was a relentless Boxer
*On this date in 1914, Jersey Joe Walcott was born.
May 13 1914
Sports/Outdoors
  The Brown Bomber, Joe Louis!
This date in 1914 marks Joe Louis’ birthday, one the greatest boxers in American history.
April 5 1915
Sports/Outdoors
  John McLendon, basketball guru!
John McLendon was born on this date in 1915.
July 5 1915
Sports/Outdoors
  One of Pennsylvania's best, John Woodruff!
John Youie Woodruff was an African-American athlete and winner of the 800 metre run at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
July 22 1916
Sports/Outdoors
  The American Tennis Association begins
On this date in 1916 we celebrate the founding of The American Tennis Association (ATA), the first black sports organization in the United States.
October 14 1916
Sports/Outdoors
  Paul Robeson excluded from football game
On this date in 1916, Paul Robeson was excluded from the Rutgers football team.
November 14 1916
Sports/Outdoors
  Mabel Fairbanks, artist and icebreaker for black skaters
On this date we mark the birth of Mabel Fairbanks, an African-American figure skater, in 1916.
January 31 1919
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseball's Jackie Robinson, "the chosen one"
*Jackie Robinson was born on this date in 1919.
February 13 1919
Sports/Outdoors
  Eddie Robinson, a wonderful football icon!
*Eddie Robinson was born on this date 1919.
February 3 1920
Sports/Outdoors
  The Negro Baseball League founded. . .
*This date marks the 86th anniversary of the Negro Baseball League.
February 13 1920
Sports/Outdoors
  The Negro National League formed!
*The first successful organized Negro League in baseball was established on this date in 1920.
June 5 1920
Sports/Outdoors
  Marion Motley, pro football player pioneer.
On this date in 1920, Marion Motley was born.
January 21 1921
Sports/Outdoors
  THE Black woman of pro baseball, Toni Stone!
Toni Stone’s birth in 1921 is celebrated on this date.
May 3 1921
Sports/Outdoors
  Boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, one of the best!
Sugar Ray Robinson was born on this date in 1921.
August 28 1921
Sports/Outdoors
  Black race car legend, Wendell O. Scott. .
This date marks the birth of Wendell Scott in 1921.
November 19 1921
Sports/Outdoors
  From the sandlot to Hall of Fame, Roy Campanella!
On this date we mark the birth of Roy Campanella, an African-American baseball player, in 1921.
July 8 1923
Sports/Outdoors
  Harrison Dillard, Olympic legend!
William Harrison Dillard was born on this date in 1923.
November 9 1923
Sports/Outdoors
  Alice Coachman, a natural athlete.
On this date we remember the birth of Alice Coachman in 1923.
December 13 1923
Sports/Outdoors
  Larry Doby, excellent ball player and unsung hero!
*Larry Doby was born on this date in 1923.
February 8 1924
Sports/Outdoors
  The first African-American pitching winner in the World Series, Joe Black
*Joe Black was born on this date in 1924.
May 21 1924
Sports/Outdoors
  Clarence Gaines built "hoops" at Winston-Salem University
Clarence ("Big House") Gaines was born on this date in 1924.
September 24 1924
Sports/Outdoors
  Danny Davis, a beloved and generous Minnesotan
Danny Davis was born on this date in 1929.
October 11 1924
Sports/Outdoors
  The first "Colored World Series" played!
On this date in 1924, the first “Colored World Series” of baseball began in Chicago.
November 18 1924
Sports/Outdoors
  The Birmingham Black Barons, a Negro League fixture!
This date in 1924 celebrates the Birmingham Black Barons baseball organization.
March 29 1925
Sports/Outdoors
  Emlen Tunnell, football pioneer!
*Emlen Tunnell was born on this date in 1925.
December 8 1925
Sports/Outdoors
  Hank Thompson, a baseball player of merit!
Hank Thompson, an African-American baseball player, was born on this date in 1925.
December 14 1925
Sports/Outdoors
  "What a curve ball," Sam Jones!
Sam Jones was born on this date in 1925.
June 14 1926
Sports/Outdoors
  New Jersey's own, Don Newcombe!
*Don Newcombe was born on this date in 1926.
September 29 1926
Sports/Outdoors
  Chuck Cooper, one of the NBA's first Black players.
On this date in 1926, Chuck Cooper was born.
January 7 1927
Sports/Outdoors
  The Harlem Globetrotters take the floor.
On this date in 1927, the Harlem Globetrotters played their first game in Hinckley, Illinois.
March 7 1927
Sports/Outdoors
  Percy Zachary, a Minnesota first!
*Percy Zachary was born on this date in 1927.
August 25 1927
Sports/Outdoors
  Althea Gibson, a pioneer in professional tennis!
*Althea Gibson was born on this date in 1927.
April 28 1928
Sports/Outdoors
  Earl Lloyd, one of the 1st Black NBA players!
*On this date we celebrate the birth of Earl Lloyd in 1928.
June 25 1928
Sports/Outdoors
  The Big Tiger, Paul "Tank" Younger!
Paul "Tank" Younger was born on this date in 1928.
February 23 1929
Sports/Outdoors
  The first Black Yankee, Elston Howard. . .
*Elston Howard was born on this date in 1929.
August 14 1929
Sports/Outdoors
  The "Left Hook" Dick Tiger!
*On this date in 1929, Dick Tiger was born.
January 31 1931
Sports/Outdoors
  Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks!
*Ernie Banks was born on this date in 1931.
May 6 1931
Sports/Outdoors
  Willie Mays, one of baseballs' best!
*Willie Mays was born on this date in 1931.
July 1 1931
Sports/Outdoors
  Black women are changing pro basketball!
On this date, we explore African-American women and professional basketball.
May 8 1932
Sports/Outdoors
  Sonny Liston, the "Left Hook"
Sonny Liston, an African-American boxer, was born on this date in 1932.
September 27 1932
Sports/Outdoors
  Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, a strong right arm and a strong Black woman
Mamie Johnson was born on this date in 1932.
May 13 1933
Sports/Outdoors
  John Roseboro, Dodger Blue personified
On this date in 1933, John Roseboro, an outstanding African-American baseball player, was born in Ashland, OH.
February 5 1934
Sports/Outdoors
  Hank Aaron, one of baseball's best
*On this date in 1934, Hank Aaron was born.
February 12 1934
Sports/Outdoors
  The minister of defense, Basketball's Bill Russell!
*Bill Russell was born on this date in 1934.
August 18 1934
Sports/Outdoors
  Roberto Clemente was more than a ball player . . .
*On this date in 1934, Roberto Clemente was born.
October 27 1934
Sports/Outdoors
  The story of footballs "Floyd of Rosedale"!
*On this date in 1934 the Floyd of Rosedale trophy story began.
January 4 1935
Sports/Outdoors
  Floyd Patterson, a boxer and gentleman!
Floyd Patterson was born on this date in 1935.
January 5 1935
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseballs Earl Battey, a player and much more!
*On this date in 1935, Earl Battey was born.
May 25 1935
Sports/Outdoors
  "Cookie" Gilchrist, an athlete with principles!
"Cookie" Gilchrist was born on this date in 1935.
July 14 1935
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseball's Earl Francis pitched well for the Pirates!
Earl Francis was born on this date in 1935.
October 2 1935
Sports/Outdoors
  First in space, Robert Lawrence.
Robert H.
November 9 1935
Sports/Outdoors
  Strike Three…...Bob Gibson!
*Bob Gibson was born on this date in 1935.
August 4 1936
Sports/Outdoors
  A stunning victory at the Olympic games!
*On this date in 1936, “the most daring move seen in track” happened at the Olympic games.
August 6 1936
Sports/Outdoors
  The Wake Robin Golf Club founded!
*On this date in 1936, the Wake Robin Golf Club of Washington, D.
August 21 1936
Sports/Outdoors
  Wilt Chamberlain was a basketball icon. . .
This date marks the birth of Wilt Chamberlain in 1936.
June 22 1938
Sports/Outdoors
  Joe Louis gets redemption from Max Schmeling!
On this date in 1938, Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmeling in a rematch of an earlier fight that Louis had lost.
September 30 1938
Sports/Outdoors
  The thrill of the game, those Baltimore Elite Giants!
This date in 1938 celebrates the establishment of the Baltimore Elite Giants baseball team.
November 24 1938
Sports/Outdoors
  One of basketballs best, the Big "O" Oscar Robertson!
Oscar Robertson was born on this date in 1938.
March 28 1939
Sports/Outdoors
  Harlem Ren's win World Championship!
*On this date in 1939, the "Harlem Rens" became the first all Black pro basketball team to win a World Championship.
May 9 1939
Sports/Outdoors
  Ralph Boston, athlete and much more!
Ralph Harold Boston was born on this date in 1939 in Laurel MS.
December 14 1939
Sports/Outdoors
  The "Elmira Express," Ernie Davis.
Ernie Davis was born on this date in 1939 in New Salem, Pennsylvania.
June 23 1940
Sports/Outdoors
  Wilma Rudolph, Hall of Fame sprinter . . .
On this date in 1940, Wilma Glodean Rudolph was born.
July 29 1940
Sports/Outdoors
  Professional tennis integrates!
On this date in 1940, American professional tennis integrated for the first time.
September 10 1940
Sports/Outdoors
  From Grambling to the NFL, Buck Buchanan!
*Junious (Buck) Buchanan was born on this date in 1940.
September 21 1940
Sports/Outdoors
  Minnesota's first collegiate black quarterback, Sandy Stephens!
*Sandy Stephens was born on this date in 1940.
October 23 1940
Sports/Outdoors
  Pelé, Soccer's main man!
Pelé was born on this date in 1940.
March 6 1941
Sports/Outdoors
  From Oakland to Pittsburgh, Willie Stargell
*On this date in 1941, Willie Stargell was born.
January 17 1942
Sports/Outdoors
  Muhammad Ali, one of the best boxers ever.
*On this dates Registry we mark the birth of Muhammad Ali in 1942.
May 24 1943
Sports/Outdoors
  "Happy" Hairston, a L.A. Laker and a Man
The birth of Harold “Happy” Hairston in 1943 is celebrated on this date.
June 8 1943
Sports/Outdoors
  Willie Davenport, Athlete and much more!
Willie Davenport was born on this date in 1943.
July 10 1943
Sports/Outdoors
  Arthur Ashe, an athlete with character. .
Arthur Ashe was born on this date in 1943.
December 4 1943
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseball commissioner OKs signing of blacks.
On this date in 1943, (then) Major League Baseball Commissioner Kenisaw Landis began the integration of professional baseball.
February 28 1946
Sports/Outdoors
  The Indianapolis Clowns, a special black baseball team!





The Indianapolis Clowns, a special black baseball team!

February 28

Clowns Cap
*This date in 1946 celebrates the start of the Indianapolis Clowns baseball organization.
March 15 1946
Sports/Outdoors
  He combined athletic power and speed, Bobby Bonds!
*Bobby Bonds was born on this date in 1946.
May 18 1946
Sports/Outdoors
  Reggie Jackson, "Mr. October"!
Reggie Jackson was born on this date in 1946.
April 15 1947
Sports/Outdoors
  Major League baseball breaks the color barrier!
On this date in 1947, the first Black man played in a major league baseball game.
April 16 1947
Sports/Outdoors
  Mr. Basketball and much more, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born on this date in 1947.
July 5 1947
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseball's American League integrates
This date in 1947 marks the integration of baseball’s American League.
July 9 1947
Sports/Outdoors
  O.J. Simpson; what goes up, must come down!
O.
March 11 1948
Sports/Outdoors
  1st Black plays in an American tennis indoor tournament
*On this date in 1948 the first African-American played in a United States Indoor Lawn Tennis Association tournament.
September 10 1948
Sports/Outdoors
  Bob Lanier, a true man on and off the court!
Bob Lanier was born on this date in 1948.
July 8 1949
Sports/Outdoors
  N.Y. Giants baseball integrates!
On this date in 1949, two years after playing his first game with the St.
February 14 1950
Sports/Outdoors
  The NBA, African Americans love this game!
*Professional Basketball is entering its All-Star break and on this date we look at its black history.
April 18 1950
Sports/Outdoors
  Braves baseball integrates!
On this date in 1950, the (then) Boston Braves baseball team integrated.
May 19 1950
Sports/Outdoors
  Rod Milburn, talented athlete and much more!
Rod Milburn was born on this date in 1950.
October 31 1950
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black plays in NBA!
On this date in 1950, Earl Lloyd became the first African-American to play in an NBA game.
November 15 1950
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black signs American professional hockey contract!
On this date in 1950, the first black American signed a professional hockey contract.
December 29 1950
Sports/Outdoors
  Joe Gilliam Jr. Had athletic leadership skills.
On this date in 1950 Joe Gilliam, Jr.
May 1 1951
Sports/Outdoors
  Chicago White Sox baseball integrates!
On this date in 1951, Orestes ("Minnie") Minoso became the first Black Chicago White Sox player.
October 3 1951
Sports/Outdoors
  Minnesota's best athlete, Dave Winfield.
Dave Winfield, an African-American athlete and an administrator and corporate executive, was born on this date in 1951.
October 20 1951
Sports/Outdoors
  Racial flareup in college football game!
On this date in 1951, a racial incident of, during the college football game between Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) and Drake University.
April 16 1952
Sports/Outdoors
  Peter Westbrook, one of fencings best.
Peter Westbrook was born on this date in 1952.
September 13 1953
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseball's Phildelphia Athletics integrate!
On this date in 1953,Former Homestead Grays pitcher Bob Trice integrated the (then) Philadelphia Athletics as a pitcher.
September 14 1953
Sports/Outdoors
  Chicago Cubs integrate!
*The Chicago Cubs baseball team integrated for the first time on this date in 1953.
July 25 1954
Sports/Outdoors
  Grace & Power, footballs Walter Payton. .
*On this date in 1954, Walter Jerry Payton was born.
July 29 1954
Sports/Outdoors
  Dignity, spirit, and commitment to excellence: Flo Hyman
This date marks the birth of Flo Hyman in 1954.
September 6 1954
Sports/Outdoors
  Washington Senators baseball team integrates.
Havana-born outfielder Carlos Paula integrated the Washington Senators on this date in 1954.
September 18 1954
Sports/Outdoors
  Dennis Johnson, journeyman of Hoops!
*Dennis Johnson was born this date in 1954.
April 14 1955
Sports/Outdoors
  First black man plays for Yankees!
On this date in 1955, Elston Howard became the first Black man to play for the New York Yankees baseball team.
May 12 1955
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black throws major league no-hitter!
On this date in 1955, the first African-American pitcher, Sam "Toothpick" Jones, tossed a no-hitter in major league baseball.
October 6 1955
Sports/Outdoors
  Tony Dungy, football player and a "cerebral" coach
Tony Dungy was born on this date in 1955.
November 7 1955
Sports/Outdoors
  Segregation on the golf course: Homes v. Atlanta ruled.
On this date in 1955, the Supreme Court ruled against Atlanta's "separate but equal" precept in public golf courses.
December 7 1955
Sports/Outdoors
  The story of the "Greenboro Six"
This date in 1955 marks the incident of the "Greensboro Six," a racial episode involving blacks and whites.
May 26 1956
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black wins major tennis title
On this date in 1956, Althea Gibson won the French Open Tennis Tournament, becoming the first African-American player to win a major tennis title.
June 26 1956
Sports/Outdoors
  Bernard Harris, first African American in space!!
Bernard A.
December 7 1956
Sports/Outdoors
  First black man wins Outland Trophy.
*On this date in 1956, Jim Parker became the first African-American college football player to win the Outland Trophy as the best linebacker in America.
November 10 1957
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black wins PGA golf tournament!
The first African-American won a major professional golf tournament on this date in 1957.
January 18 1958
Sports/Outdoors
  The first Black pro hockey player skates. . .
On this date in 1958, Willie O’Ree became the first Black man to play in the National Hockey League (NHL).
March 9 1958
Sports/Outdoors
  UAS, a scuba divers haven!
*The 1958 founding of Underwater Adventure Seekers (UAS) is celebrated on this date.
May 8 1958
Sports/Outdoors
  Lovie Smith, leadership on the gridiron. . .
Lovie Smith was born on this date in 1958.
June 6 1958
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseball's Detroit Tigers integrate!
On this date in 1958, Ozzie Virgil integrated the Detroit Tigers baseball team.
July 21 1959
Sports/Outdoors
  Boston Red Sox integrate
On this date in 1959, the Boston Red Sox of major league baseball's American League became the last team to integrate their organization.
August 14 1959
Sports/Outdoors
  Magic Johnson, a special black man!
*On this date in 1959, Magic Johnson was born.
December 20 1959
Sports/Outdoors
  Trent Tucker, a visionary athlete!
Trent Tucker was born on this date in 1959.
December 21 1959
Sports/Outdoors
  Florence Griffith Joyner, gold was her color too!
This date marks the birth of Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1959.
March 14 1960
Sports/Outdoors
  The true energy of baseball, Kirby Puckett. . .
*Kirby Puckett was born on this date in 1960.
July 30 1961
Sports/Outdoors
  Reggie Roby, punter extraordinaire!
Reggie Roby was born on this date in 1961.
November 28 1961
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black wins football's Heisman!
On this date in 1961,
December 19 1961
Sports/Outdoors
  Reggie White, one of Tennessee's finest!
*Reggie White was born on this date in 1961.
March 2 1962
Sports/Outdoors
  Wilt scores 100 points!
*On this date in 1962, Wilt Chamberlain set a National Basketball Association (NBA) scoring record of 100 points.
May 29 1962
Sports/Outdoors
  First African American coaches in major league baseball!
*On this date in 1962 the first Black American coached in major league baseball.
February 17 1963
Sports/Outdoors
  Michael Jordan, one of the best basketball players ever!
*Michael Jordan was born on this date in 1963.
November 7 1963
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseballs first Black wins AL MVP!
On this date in 1963, Elston Howard became the first African-American to win the American League's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
November 16 1963
Sports/Outdoors
  Houston's very own, Zina Garrison!
On this date in 1963, Zina Garrison Jackson was born.
June 9 1964
Sports/Outdoors
  Wayman Tisdale, an elegant Sooner!
*Wayman Tisdale was born on this date in 1964.
January 11 1965
Sports/Outdoors
  Black football players boycott AFL All-Star game
On this date in 1965, Black pro football players boycotted the AFL All-Star game in New Orleans.
March 6 1966
Sports/Outdoors
  Maurice Ashley, raising the bar of thinking!
*Maurice Ashley was born on this date in 1966.
March 19 1966
Sports/Outdoors
  Texas Western makes "Black Basketball" history!
*On this date, in 1966, Texas Western University made history in the NCAA division one basketball tournament.
April 12 1966
Sports/Outdoors
  MLB hires first Black Umpire.
On this date in 1966, Emmett Ashford became the first African American major league baseball umpire.
April 18 1966
Sports/Outdoors
  The first Black NBA coach!
On this date in 1966, Bill Russell was named coach of the Boston Celtics basketball team.
October 1 1966
Sports/Outdoors
  George Weah, world-famous soccer player and politician
George Weah was born on this date in 1966 in Liberia.
August 25 1968
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black man wins US Open tennis singles title!
*On this date in 1968, Arthur Ashe won the US Open singles tennis Championship.
November 18 1968
Sports/Outdoors
  Gary Sheffield--a controversial and outstanding baseball player
Gary Sheffield was born on this date in 1968.
September 12 1970
Sports/Outdoors
  First all-Black backfield in Division 1 college football.
On this date in 1970, John McKay and the University of Southern California Trojans beat Bear Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide.
September 1 1971
Sports/Outdoors
  First All-Black baseball team plays in MLB!
*On this date in 1971, the first all-Black lineup played in major league baseball.
September 7 1971
Sports/Outdoors
  Brianna Scurry, from Minnesota to the world!
Brianna Scurry was born on this date in 1971.
March 6 1972
Sports/Outdoors
  A basketball icon, Shaquille O'Neal!
*Shaquille O'Neal was born on this date in 1972.
June 18 1972
Sports/Outdoors
  Curt Flood's suit against baseball ruled. .
On this date in 1972, Curt Flood lost his suit against Major League Baseball’s (MLB) anti-trust statute.
September 18 1972
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black umpires national league ball game!
*On this date in 1972, Art Williams became the first African-American umpire in the National League.
October 3 1974
Sports/Outdoors
  Baseball hires first Black manager.
On this date in 1974, Frank Robinson becomes manager of the Cleveland Indians baseball club.
May 25 1975
Sports/Outdoors
  Al Attles wins championship at Golden State!
On this date in 1975, Al Attles became one of the first African-American coach to win a professional championship in any team sport.
December 30 1975
Sports/Outdoors
  Tiger Woods, professional golf's "Main Man"
On this date in 1975, "Tiger" Woods was born.
May 19 1976
Sports/Outdoors
  Kevin Garnett, hoops and more!
Kevin Maurice Garnett was born on this date in 1976.
December 28 1979
Sports/Outdoors
  James Blake, a courageous tennis star
James Blake, an African-American tennis player, was born on this date in 1979.
June 17 1980
Sports/Outdoors
  Venus Williams, tennis and much more. .
Venus Williams was born on this date in 1980.
September 26 1981
Sports/Outdoors
  Serena Williams, one of the nation's best tennis players
Serena Williams was born on this date in 1981.
August 13 1982
Sports/Outdoors
  Shani Davis, a Speed skating Icon. . .
*Shani Davis was born on this date in 1982.
April 2 1984
Sports/Outdoors
  First black coaches an NCAA Basketball champion!
On this date in 1984 John Thompson, of Georgetown University, became the first black coach to win the NCAA basketball tournament.
September 20 1984
Sports/Outdoors
  Black Air Force chess champion crowned!
*On this date in 1984, an African American won the 25th Annual Armed Forces Chess Championship Tournament.
December 30 1984
Sports/Outdoors
  The King of the Court, LeBron James!
LeBron James, an African-American professional basketball player, was born on this date in 1984.
January 7 1985
Sports/Outdoors
  Lewis Hamilton, a Racing icon!
*Lewis Hamilton was born on this date in 1985.
April 21 1986
Sports/Outdoors
  Michael Jordan sets playoff game scoring record for basketball!
On this date in 1986, Michael Jordan set an NBA playoff scoring record.
November 22 1986
Sports/Outdoors
  The first black professional bowling champ!
One this date, George Branham, was the first African-American to win a Professional Bowlers Association, (PBA) championship.
June 2 1989
Sports/Outdoors
  Freddy Adu, "The Natural" of soccer!
*On this date in 1989 Freddy Adu was born.
September 14 1990
Sports/Outdoors
  Both Griffey's homer for Mariners in the same inning!
*On this date in 1990, Ken Griffey Sr.
January 12 1991
Sports/Outdoors
  The NABS, a great underwater community!
This date in 1991 celebrates the founding of The National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS).
February 2 1995
Sports/Outdoors
  The first African American Walks in Space!
*On this date in 1995, the first African-American walked in space.
April 13 1997
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black wins Masters Golf Tournament!
On this date in 1997 the first African-American professional golfer won the Master Golf Tournament.
September 11 1999
Sports/Outdoors
  After 41 years, a black woman wins US Open!
On this date in 1999, Serena Williams became the first African-American woman to win the US Open tennis tournament since Althea Gibson won it in 1958.
May 7 2000
Sports/Outdoors
  After 79 years, Black jockey rides in The Derby
On this date in 2000, the first Black jockey in 79 years rode in the Kentucky Derby.
August 14 2000
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black Olympic Swimmer qualifies!
*On this date in 2000, the first African American man made the U.
August 16 2001
Sports/Outdoors
  Men's professional sports choose its first woman coach!
*On this date in 2001, the first woman coach in men’s professional sports was chosen.
September 8 2001
Sports/Outdoors
  First all-Black women's final at US tennis Open. .
On this date in 2001, two African-American women decided the women’s U.
December 22 2001
Sports/Outdoors
  First black Olympic speedskater qualifies.
On this date in 2001, Shani Davis became the first African-American to qualify for the United States Olympic speed skating team.
February 19 2002
Sports/Outdoors
  First African-American Gold Medal in Winter Olympics!
*On this date in 2002, Vonetta Flowers became the first African-American gold medalist in the history of the Winter Olympic Games.
April 14 2002
Sports/Outdoors
  Tiger Woods wins third Masters Golf title!
On this date in 2002, Tiger Woods won his third master golf tournament.
April 19 2002
Sports/Outdoors
  First black wins NHL scoring title!
On this date in 2002, the first Black man won the scoring title in the National Hockey League.
January 4 2003
Sports/Outdoors
  First NFL playoff game with two black head coaches!
On this date in 2003, two black head coaches competed for the first time in a National Football league (NFL) playoff game.
July 25 2003
Sports/Outdoors
  NFL levies fine over "Rooney Rule."
On this date in 2003, the National Football League (NFL) fined a team president for not interviewing any minority candidates before hiring a white coach.
March 30 2004
Sports/Outdoors
  Paul Hornung makes racist slur!
*On this date in 2004, former Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung made a racist comment about Blacks.
February 4 2006
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black Quarterback enters NFL Hall!
*On this date in 2006 the first Black quarterback was inducted into the National Football league Hall of Fame.
February 18 2006
Sports/Outdoors
  First Black Winter Olympic individual Gold Medal won!
*On this date in 2006,
May 19 2006
Sports/Outdoors
  USF honors its 1951 football team--for courage and integrity!
On this date in 2006, the University of San Francisco gave an honorary degree to its undefeated 1951 football team.
January 21 2007
Sports/Outdoors
  First black head coach goes to the SuperBowl!
*On this date in 2007 the first African-American professional head football coach qualified for the NFL’s Super Bowl.
April 27 2007
Sports/Outdoors
  First black woman arrives at the North Pole.
*On this date in 2007, the first black woman trekked to the North Pole.
January 11 2008
Sports/Outdoors
  Marion Jones is sentenced.
On this date in 2008, Sprinter Marion Jones was sentenced to six months in prison for lying about using steroids and for check fraud.
June 5 2008
Sports/Outdoors
  MLB signs remaining Negro league players!
*On this date in 2008, every major league baseball baseball team symbolically drafted a surviving member of the Negro Leagues.
 
 

    

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