December 31
1948- “Queen of Disco” Donna Summers was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She gained major prominence during the disco era of the late 1970s.
January 1
1997- Kofi Annan of Ghana became the first Black secretary of United Nations.
January 2
1977- Pianist and composer Erroll Garner died in Los Angeles. He was considered one of the best selling jazz pianist in the world.
January 3
1989- The Arsenio Hall Show premiered and was the first regularly scheduled nightly talk show that starred an African American.
January 4
1985- Congressman William H. Gray was elected chairman of the House Budget Committee and became the highest congressional post held by an African American.
January 5
1943- Civilian aid to the Secretary of War William H. Hastie resigned to protest segregation and discrimination in armed forces.
