June 1
Tulsa Race Massacre
On June 1, 1921, a white mob attacked the Greenwood District in Tulsa, killing an estimated 100 to 300 Black residents and destroying over 1,000 homes, churches, schools, and businesses. The area had been one of the most prosperous Black communities in America.
University of Timbuktu Founded
The Sankore Madrasah (University of Sankore) in Timbuktu became one of the foremost centers of learning in the medieval world. At its peak, it housed 25,000 students and held one of the largest libraries in the world with between 400,000 and 700,000 manuscripts covering astronomy, mathematics, medicine, law, and literature.
Alex Haley Begins Research for Roots
In 1964, Alex Haley began researching his family's genealogy, tracing his ancestry back through seven generations to a Mandinka warrior named Kunta Kinte in The Gambia. The resulting novel (1976) and TV miniseries (1977) inspired millions of Americans to explore their heritage.
Marquis de Lafayette Advocates for Black Freedom
In June 1785, Lafayette purchased La Belle Gabrielle plantation in French Guiana with plans to educate and gradually free the enslaved workers. This abolitionist experiment, though imperfect, demonstrated early international support for Black emancipation and influenced later anti-slavery movements.
Founding of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Special Interest Group on Computers and Society
The ACM SIGCAS was established to address the ethical and social implications of computing.
First African American to receive a PhD in Computer Science
Philip Emeagwali became the first African American to receive a PhD in Computer Science.