August 30
Thurgood Marshall Confirmed as Supreme Court Justice
On August 30, 1967, the U.S. Senate confirmed Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court by a vote of 69-11. He had previously argued the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case before the Court.
First African American in Space
On August 30, 1983, Guion "Guy" Bluford launched aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, becoming the first African American in space. A veteran of the Vietnam War and an aerospace engineer, he flew four shuttle missions.
Constance Baker Motley Becomes Federal Judge
On August 30, 1966, Constance Baker Motley was confirmed as a federal district judge for the Southern District of New York. She had previously argued 10 civil rights cases before the Supreme Court, winning nine, including the case that desegregated the University of Mississippi.
First Black Olympian
John Baxter Taylor Jr. became the first African American to compete in the Olympics at the St. Louis Games.