The Black Liberal Boomer Blog

Today in Black History

January 18

1949: Congresman William Dawson is elected Chairman of the House Expentiture Committe, becoming the first African-American to head a standing committee of Congress.

1966: Robert Weaver takes the oath of office as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and becoming the first African-American to serve in the official Cabinet of a U.S. President.

1990: Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Berry is arrested in a hotel room on a charge of purchasing and using cocaine; he was tried and convicted on the highly contested misdemeanor charge.

Posted by Pamela Hilliard Owens

Today in Black History: August 11

Detroit native Kim Weston singing at Wattstax in 1966; introduced by Rev. Jesse Jackson.

James Rosamond Johnson, actor and composer of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing", was born in Jackson Florida in 1873. James Rosamond wrote the music, and his brother, James Weldon Johnson, wrote the music. This song is often referred to as the "Negro National Anthem".