August 6
1965- President Lyndon Johnson signs the Voting Rights Bill, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting. The bill authorized the suspension of literacy tests that were used to disenfranchise minorities.
August 7
1954- Charles H. Mahoney was confirmed by the Senate and became the first African American to occupy a permanent seat in the United States delegation to the United Nations.
August 8
1934- Congressman Julian Dixon was born in Washington, D.C. Dixon was elected to Congress as a representative for California’s 28th district in 1978.
August 9
1987- Beatrice Foods was acquired by Reginald Lewis. The $1 billion exchange became the largest business acquisition made by an African American businessman.
August 10
1950-Singer Patti Austin was born in Harlem, New York. The singer is well known for her songs “In and Out of Love,” and “Do You Love Me?”
August 11
1965- The Watts Riots started and last four six days. The U.S. National Guard was mobilized out to the city on August 13, when the rebellion took a toll. 34 people were killed, over 3,952 people were arrested and $35 million in property damage.
