Martin Luther King Jr. Awarded Nobel Prize
On October 14, 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. became the youngest person ever nominated to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Civil Rights
JFK Proposes Civil Rights Act of 1964
On June 11, 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered a television and radio address calling for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“Freedom Riders” Bus Trip
On May 5, 1961, the “Freedom Riders” began their highly publicized ride through the south to protest segregation laws.
Court Issues Ruling in the Amistad Case
On March 9, 1841, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its final ruling the case of United States v. Schooner Amistad.
Andrew Johnson Impeached
On February 24, 1868, Andrew Johnson became the first American president to be impeached.
Death of former President Harry Truman
On December 26, 1972, America’s 33rd president, Harry S. Truman, died.
Mississippi Becomes 20th State
On December 10, 1817, Mississippi was admitted to the Union as the 20th state.
Happy Birthday President Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II was born August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Obama won the 2008 presidential election over Republican John McCain with 52.9% of the popular vote and 365 electoral votes, making him the United States’ first African American President.
The First Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom by the Emancipation Proclamation (issued two years prior). The day the last American slaves were freed has become a holiday celebrated officially in 45 states.