#OTD Walter E. Washington was elected mayor of Washington, DC becoming the first African American to lead the nation's capital and the city's first elected mayor of the 20th century.

#OTD New York Renaissance founder Bob Douglas, often referred to as the "father of black professional basketball," was born in Saint Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis. Actress Caryn Ward Ross narrates.

#OTD Hal Jackson, a true trailblazer for African Americans in radio broadcasting, was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Music executive Cappriccieo Scates narrates.

#OTD President Ronald Reagan signed legislation marking the third Monday in January as a national holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recording artist Nicci Gilbert narrates.

#OTD Publisher and entrepreneur Nancy Maynard, a ten year co-owner of the Oakland Tribune, was born in Harlem, New York.

#OTD The Supreme Court ordered the immediate desegregation of schools in the state of Mississippi as part of the ruling in the case Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education.

#OTD Abolitionist Levi Coffin, an active leader in the Underground Railroad in his region, was born in Guilford County, North Carolina.

#OTD Politician Andrew Young was elected the 55th mayor of Atlanta, Georgia.

Happy 70th birthday, Bootsy Collins! The legendary bassist was born #OTD in Cincinnati, OH.

#OTD Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. was promoted to brigadier general becoming the first African American general officer in the regular army and the U.S. armed forces.