#OTD The television sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" premiered on NBC.

#OTD Poet and activist Sonia Sanchez, a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement, was born in Birmingham, Alabama.

#OTD Actress and singer Dorothy Dandridge, the first African American to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, passed away at the age of 42.

#OTD Painter Jacob Lawrence was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

#OTD Olympic athlete Rafer Johnson won a gold medal in the decathlon.

#OTD Johnathan Rodgers was named president of the CBS Television Stations division becoming, at the time, the highest ranking African American in network television.

#OTD Artist, author and songwriter Romare Bearden was born in Charlotte, NC. Pro Bowl running back Eddie George narrates.

#OTD George Poage became the first African American athlete to win a medal at the Olympic games, winning two bronze medals in track and field.

#OTD Ken Griffey, Sr. and Ken Griffey, Jr. became the first father and son pair to play in a game for the same Major League Baseball team.

#OTD Civil rights leader Rosa Parks was the victim of an armed robbery at her Detroit, Michigan home.