The first blues song, WC Handy publishes Memphis Blues, 1912

Stephanie Pogue, artist, born

First Louisiana Native Guards, the first Black regiment to receive official recognition, mustered into army. Regiment was composed of free Blacks of New Orleans.

Branch Normal College opens in Pine Bluff, Ark., A segregated unit of the state university, the college is established by Joseph C. Corbin

Charles H. Houston awarded the Spingarn Medal posthumously for his pioneering work in developing the NAACP legal campaign.

Gwendolyn Brooks awarded Pulitzer Prize (May 1) for her book of poetry, Annie Allen. She was the first Black cited by the Pulitzer committee.

Greg Morris, actor Mission: Impossible, born

Ralph J. Bunche, director of the UN Trusteeship division and former professor of political science at Howard University, awarded the Nobel Peace prize (September 22) for successful mediation of the Palestine conflict. He was the first Black to receive a Nobel citation.

Edward Mitchell Bannister wins a bronze medal for his painting Under the Oaks at the American Centennial Exposition, in Philadelphia. The award will cause controversy among whites who think African Americans incapable of artistic excellence.

First published blues composition, W,C. Handys Memphis Blues, went on sale in Memphis.

Hiram R. Revels, first Black U.S. senator, born free, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Louisiana voters endorsed constitutional convention and elected delegates in first election under Reconstruction acts. The vote was 75,000 for the convention and 4,000 against. Elections for delegates to the conventions were held in other Southern states in October and November.

National Guard mobilizing in San Francisco.

Washington D.C.s Anacostia Museum dedicated to informing the community of contributions by African Americans to U.S. political, social, and cultural history, opens

Xavier University, the first Black Catholic college in the US, opens in New Orleans

Black leaders protested discrimination in the armed forces and war industries at a White House meeting with President Roosevelt.

John Mercer Langston named minister of Haiti.

School integration began in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Md., public schools.

Ezzard Charles defeated Joe Louis in heavyweight championship fight in New York City.