September 17
1968- “Julia” premiered on NBC starring actress Diahann Carroll. It was the first modern television show to star an African American woman as the lead since “Beulah” in the 1950’s.
September 18
1919- Fritz Pollard became the first African American to play professional football for a major team, the Akron Indians. Pollard was also the first African American to play in the Rose Bowl.
September 19
1992- Gordon Parks’ film “The Learning Tree” was registered in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. It joined other classic films such as “Casablanca”, “Gone with the Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz”.
September 20
1987- Alfre Woodard won her second career Emmy for Outstanding Guest Performance in the drama series “L.A. Law”.
September 21
1989- General Colin Powell was named the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
September 22
1998- USA Sprinter and winner of three gold and silver medals, Florence “Flo-Jo” Griffith-Joyner, died at 38 from an epileptic seizure.
