This Month in Black History...

March 1, 1927 Legendary singer, actor and activist Harry Belafonte was born in New York City. His 1956 album 'Calypso' was the first LP ever to sell one million copies.
March 2, 2005
This month in 2005 Jackie Robinson was posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. President George W. Bush gave Congress' highest honor to Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson." (The African American Registry)



March 3, 1991
Rodney King was beaten on this date by officers in the LAPD. This shocking event was captured on video, causing international outrage, and the infamous LA riots a year later.

March 4, 1921
America's first black owned and operated record label, Black Swan Records, was founded in New York City by Harry Herbert Pace. Ethel Waters, shown here, was one of the first successful artists on this label.


March 4, 1944
Music great Bobby Womack was born in Cleveland, Ohio. According to Wikipedia: "On January 14, 2009 Womack was announced as one of the 2009 inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."

March 6, 1972
NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal was born in Newark, New Jersey. IMDb.com states: "Shaquille O'Neal is regarded as one of the most dominant athletes and arguably the most gregarious personality in sports history."

March 6, 1857
The United States Supreme Court ruled in a 7 to 2 decision that as a slave Dred Scott was not entitled to sue in court for his freedom. His case remained central to American politics until the outbreak of the Civil War.
March 7, 1917
Ballet dancer Janet Collins was born in New Orleans. The New York Times says: "Ms. Collins… was best known as the exquisitely beautiful dancer who was the first black artist to perform at the Metropolitan."