September 23
Emmett Till's Murderers Acquitted
On September 23, 1955, an all-white jury in Sumner, Mississippi, acquitted Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam of Emmett Till's murder. The men later confessed to the killing in a paid interview with Look magazine. The travesty of justice galvanized the civil rights movement.
Ray Charles Born
Born September 23, 1930, Ray Charles Robinson lost his sight by age seven. He combined gospel, blues, jazz, and country to create soul music. His hits include "I Got a Woman," "Georgia on My Mind," and "Hit the Road Jack."
John Coltrane Born
Born September 23, 1926, John Coltrane's albums "A Love Supreme" (1965) and "Giant Steps" (1960) transformed jazz. His innovative approach to harmony and spiritually inspired compositions continue to influence musicians worldwide.
Mary Church Terrell Born
Born September 23, 1863, Mary Church Terrell was one of the first African American women to earn a college degree. She co-founded the NACW, helped found the NAACP, and at age 89, led successful protests to desegregate restaurants in Washington, D.C.
Birth of John Coltrane
Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane was born in Hamlet, North Carolina.