Black History Month – February 11, 2016

We salutes African Americans who've made & continue to make American history. To the artists, entrepreneur, business moguls, doctors and educators from the canvas to the stage.  To the poets, the authors, the inventors, innovators and trailblazers, we honor and remember them all, this and every Black History Month.

1990 - Nelson Mandela is released from prison

For leading the fight against apartheid, a system of racial segregation that privileged whites, Mandela was sentenced to life in prison.  In 1962, he was arrested and convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the state.  He served 27-years before being released on this day, thanks to an international campaign.

Joining negotiations with then, President F. W. de Klerk, to abolish apartheid and establish multiracial elections in 1994, Mandela became South Africa's first black president.  He served from 1994 to 1999.

1976 - Clifford Alexander Jr becomes the first black Secretary of the Army

Clifford Alexander, Jr. was confirmed as America's first African American Secretary of the Army on this day. He held the position until the end of President Jimmy Carter's term.

Whitney M. Young, Jr. was Executive Director of the National Urban League from 1961 until his tragic, untimely death in 1971.  Young was died of a heart attack after swimming with friends in Lagos, Nigeria, where he was attending a conference sponsored by the African-American Institute.

1961 - February 11, Robert Weaver is sworn in

Robert Weaver sworn in as administrator of the Housing and Home Finance Agency, on this day.  It was the highest federal post to date held by an African American.