July 23
Madame C.J. Walker Born
Born Sarah Breedlove on July 23, 1867, Madame C.J. Walker built a hair care empire that made her the first female self-made millionaire in America. She employed thousands of Black women as sales agents and was a generous philanthropist, supporting Black educational institutions and anti-lynching campaigns.
Detroit Race Riot of 1967
On July 23, 1967, police raided a party at an unlicensed bar in a predominantly Black neighborhood, sparking five days of unrest. The Michigan National Guard and U.S. Army were deployed. Forty-three people died, over 1,000 were injured, and more than 2,000 buildings were destroyed. The uprising led to the Kerner Commission report on racial inequality.
Haile Selassie Born
Born July 23, 1892, Haile Selassie ruled Ethiopia for over 40 years. His address to the League of Nations after Italy's invasion made him a global symbol of resistance against colonialism. He is a central figure in the Rastafari movement and Pan-African thought.
The Detroit Race Riot
A violent confrontation between police and residents in Detroit, Michigan, leading to widespread unrest.