December 21
December 21, 1911
Josh Gibson Born
Born December 21, 1911, Josh Gibson is considered one of the greatest power hitters in baseball history. Playing in the Negro Leagues for the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords, he reportedly hit nearly 800 home runs. In 2024, MLB officially incorporated his Negro League statistics.
People: Josh Gibson
Sources
1. Josh Gibson - National Baseball Hall of Fame and MuseumDecember 21, 1855
Celia, Enslaved Woman, Executed
On December 21, 1855, Celia was hanged in Callaway County, Missouri. She had killed Robert Newsom, her enslaver who had sexually assaulted her since purchasing her at age 14. The court ruled that enslaved women had no right to defend themselves against their enslavers.
People: Celia
Sources
1. Celia, A Slave - National Park ServiceDecember 21, 1959
Birth of Florence Griffith-Joyner
Florence Griffith-Joyner, an Olympic champion sprinter and world record holder, was born.
People: Florence Griffith-Joyner
Sources
1. Florence Griffith-Joyner — National Women's History Museum2. Florence Griffith-Joyner — Olympic.orgLink copied!
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