Black History on May 8th

1771 - Phillis Wheatley sails for England. Two years later, her book of poetry, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral," will be published in London.

1858 - John Brown holds an antislavery convention, which is attended by twelve whites and thirty-four African Americans, in Chatham, Canada.

1858 - "The Escape," first play by an African American, is published by William Wells Brown.

1910 - Mary Elfrieda Scruggs is born in Atlanta, Georgia. She will become a professional piano player at the age of 6 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After marrying musician and band leader, John Williams, she will perform as Mary Lou Williams. She will become an accomplished arranger and composer and be a music educator in her later years. In 1957, she will form Mary Records, becoming the first woman to establish a record company. She will join the ancestors in 1981 in Durham, North Carolina.

1911 - Robert Leroy Johnson is born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He will become a legendary blues musician while remaining relatively obscure during his short lifetime. Recordings of Johnson, made by by Columbia Records between 1936 and 1937, will be the foundation for his reputation after he joins the ancestors in 1938. The songs he recorded will influence the bluesmen of the 1960's during the revival of the blues. He will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

1915 - Henry McNeal Turner joins the ancestors in Windsor, Canada. He was an influential minister in the AME Church and was appointed the first African American chaplain in the U.S. Army.

1917 - An African American, Jesse Washington, is burned alive in a public square in Waco, Texas. Fifteen thousand will look on in the incident known later as the "Waco Horror."

1925 - A. Philip Randolph organizes the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters after failing to integrate the American Federation of Labor.

1932 - Charles (Sonny) Liston is born in St. Frances County, Arkansas. After spending time as juvenile delinquent, he will be convicted of armed robbery in 1950 and sentenced to prison. While in prison, he will develop an interest in boxing. He will win the 1953 Golden Gloves championship, after serving his sentence. He will become a professional boxer and will win the World Heavyweight Boxing crown in 1962 and defend it until he is defeated by Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in 1964. He will join the ancestors on December 30, 1970 and be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

1951 - Philip Bailey is born in Denver, Colorado. He will become a rhythm and blues singer and will enjoy his first fame with the group Earth, Wind and Fire, which he joined in 1972. He will develop his unique four-octave voice into a trademark sound and will be the hallmark of the group's hits such as "Reasons," "Shining Star," "All 'N' All," and "After The Love Has Gone." In 1983, he will start his solo career and will enjoy success in both rhythm and blues and gospel venues. On March 6, 2000 he will appear with Earth, Wind and Fire when they are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1958 - President Eisenhower orders federalized National Guard troops removed from Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

1965 - The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians is founded by Muhal Richard Abrams.

1967 - Muhammad Ali is indicted for refusing induction in the U.S. Army.

2003 - Sam Lacy joins the ancestors at the age of 99, after succumbing to esophageal disorder. He had been one of the nation's first African American sportswriters and was a chronicler of sports integration.

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