Moments in Black History

1997 - Death of Coleman Young
Former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young died on this day. He was 79 years old. Young became Detroit's first Black mayor and presided over his adopted city for an unprecedented five terms. Young died at Sinai Hospital of respiratory failure caused by advanced emphysema.

1961 - Football
Ernie Davis is the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy.

1960 - Death of Richard Wright
Death of Richard Wright (52), Paris, France.

1950 - F.M. Jones patents 2-cycle engine
Jones, F. M. Two-Cycle gasoline Engine Nov. 28, 1950 Patent No. 2523273

1949 - Dancer Bojangles dies
Tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson dies in New York City.


1929 - Berry Gordy, Motown Executive, born
Motown recording executive Berry Gordy, Jr. born in Detroit, Michigan.


1753 - James Robinson is born.
Soldier & patriot James Robinson is born. When he won a medal for bravery at the Battle of Yorktown, he was promised his freedom for fighting with the Americans. After the war, he was sold back into slavery.