This Day In Quiztory

#OTD Democratic politician Kenneth Gibson was elected the 36th mayor of Newark, New Jersey and the first African American to lead the city.

#OTD Lawyer and activist Vernon E. Jordan was appointed executive director of the National Urban League. Actor Brian White shines a spotlight on his legacy.

#OTD in 1867, Howard University was established in Washington, DC.

#OTD in 1946, hall of fame defensive end Elvin Bethea was born in Trenton, New Jersey.

We celebrate the life and legacy of actor and comedian Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, who passed away on this day in 1977.

#OTD in 1964, women's rights advocate Anna Julia Cooper passed away at the age of 105.

#OTD in 2000, the home of entrepreneur Alonzo Herndon was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

#OTD in 1956, Autherine Lucy became the first African American student to attend the University of Alabama. Recording artist Deborah Cox narrates.

#OTD in 2009, the United States Senate confirmed Eric Holder as the 82nd U.S. Attorney General and the first African American to hold the position. Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph narrates.

#OTD in 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested in Selma, AL during a march to protest voter registration practices. Actor Ernest L. Thomas narrates.

#OTD in 1972, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson passed away at the age of 60.

#OTD in 2001, General Colin Powell was sworn in as the 65th U.S. Secretary of State and the first African American to hold that position.

John H. Johnson, founder of Ebony and Jet magazines, was born in Arkansas City, AR in 1918.

#OTD Singer Kathy Sledge, of the group Sister Sledge, was born in Philadelphia, PA. Happy 64th birthday to her!

#OTD Benjamin Ward was sworn in as the 34th New York City Police Commissioner in 1984

#OTD Charlotte E. Ray, the country's first black female attorney, passed away in 1911 at age 60.

#OTD The late night talk show The Arsenio Hall Show premiered in 1989.

On this day in 1905, art historian James A. Porter was born in Baltimore, MD. Recording artist Bowlegged Lou narrates.

Happy 80th birthday to singer Carla Thomas! The "Queen of Memphis Soul" was born on this day in Memphis, TN.

On this day in 1981, the musical "Dreamgirls" made its debut on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre.