April 16
SNCC Founded
Founded in April 1960, SNCC became one of the most important organizations of the civil rights movement, organizing sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and voter registration drives across the South.
Martin Luther King Jr. Writes Letter from Birmingham Jail
On April 16, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. penned his letter while jailed for participating in civil rights demonstrations. Addressed to white clergymen who called his activities "unwise and untimely," the letter became a foundational text of the civil rights movement.
Kendrick Lamar Wins Pulitzer Prize for Music
On April 16, 2018, Kendrick Lamar won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for "DAMN.," making him the first hip-hop artist and first non-classical or jazz musician to win the award. The Pulitzer Board called it "a virtuosic song collection" that captures "the complexity of modern African-American life."
Selena Born
Born April 16, 1971, Selena became one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers. Though primarily a Tejano artist, her crossover appeal and cultural impact resonated broadly across communities of color.
Birth of Mary Eliza Mahoney
Mary Eliza Mahoney becomes the first African American woman to earn a nursing degree in the United States.
Birth of Dr. Mary Eliza Mahoney
Mary Eliza Mahoney becomes the first African American woman to earn a nursing degree.