October 1

Nigerian Flag (courtesy photo)

1960- West African country Nigeria was proclaimed independent from Great Britain’s rule.

October 2

Thurgood Marshall 

1967- Thurgood Marshall became the first African American Supreme Court Justice when he was sworn into office. He served in office from 1967 to 1991.

October 3

Nat King Cole

1956- Legendary singer Nat King Cole became the first African American performer to host his own TV show “The Nat King Cole Show”.

October 4

Howard N. Lee

1969- Howard Nathanial Lee became the first African American mayor of Chapel Hill, N.C. He served as mayor for the city from 1969 to 1975.

October 5

Yvonne Brathwaite Burke

1932- Congresswoman Yvonne Brathwaite Burke was born in Los Angeles, California. She was the first African American woman to represent the West Coast in Congress.

October 6

Fannie Lou Hamer

1917- Civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi. Hamer was known for organizing Mississippi’s Freedom Summer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.