1966 - On this day economist, academic, and business leader Andrew Brimmer became the first African American governor of the Federal Reserve System. He was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and served until 1974.

1965 - Jimmie Lee Jackson dies of his injuries

Jimmie Lee Jackson was a deacon and civil rights activist from Marion, Alabama. On this day in 1965, while participating in a non-violent and peaceful voting rights march. Lee was unarmed when he was beaten and shot by police and Alabama State Trooper James Bonard Fowler.

Lee's murder would single handedly inspire the Selma Montgomery marches in March 1965.

1964 - Cassius Clay changes name to Muhammad Ali

After beating Sonny Liston and winning the World Heavyweight Championship at age 22 in 1964 Cassius Clay, changed his name to Muhammad Ali and joined the Nation of Islam. Ali would be officially converted to Sunni Islam in 1975.

1926 - Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week

Best known as the "Father of Black History", Dr. Carter G. Woodson,was a historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. In addition to being one of the first African American scholars in history, Woodson also founded The Journal of Negro History in 1915. That idea, would inspire Woodson start "Negro History Week" better known as Black History Monthtoday.

1869 - The 15th Amendment is entered into the Constitution

Though it would be ratified a year later and never fully honored for almost a century, the 15th Amendment was entered into the Constitution. The amendment would grant all African American men the right to vote. It simply declared the "right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

Black voters faced much opposition and many of forms of voter intimidation such as poll taxes and literacy tests. The passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 put a stop to most Southern states being able to effectively disenfranchise African Americans.

• February 26, 1922 Bunny Briggs, hall of fame tap dancer, was born in Harlem, New York.

• February 26, 1928 Antoine Dominique “Fats” Domino, hall of fame pianist, singer and songwriter, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

• February 26, 1933 Godfrey MacArthur Cambridge, comedian and stage and film actor, was born in New York City

• February 26, 1973 Marshall William Faulk, hall of fame football player, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

• February 26, 1977 Booker T. Washington “Bukka” White, hall of fame blues guitarist and singer, died. White was born November 12, 1909 between Aberdeen and Houston, Mississippi.

• February 26, 1985 Albert Turner Bharucha-Reid, mathematician and educator, died.

• February 26, 1989 Roy David Eldridge, hall of fame jazz trumpeter, died.

There's no telling what Trayvon Martin could have become and sadly the world will never know. But his tragic death at the hands of neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman on Feb. 26, 2012, will forever be a part of the nation's still-controversial history in race relations.

Just 17, Trayvon was walking back to his father's home in Sanford, Florida, after buying a bag of Skittles and a soft drink when he encountered Zimmerman, 28, who was patrolling the neighborhood. Zimmerman, who is widely believed to have racially profiled the hoodie-wearing teen, called the Sanford police department's non-emergency line to report that the "Black male" looked suspicious.

Even though the dispatcher told him to not follow the boy, he ignored their advice and entered into an altercation with him. Claiming he felt threatened and buoyed by the state's "Stand Your Ground" law, Zimmerman shot the teenager. Six weeks passed before he was arrested. On July 13, 2013, a jury found Zimmerman not guilty of any crime. On Feb. 24, 2015, the Justice Department decided not to file federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman.

The tragedy roiled the nation and sparked a wide-ranging debate over the dangers of "Stand Your Ground" laws in states around the U.S and a Justice for Trayvon movement.

"If [he] was of age and armed, could he have stood his ground on that sidewalk? And do we actually think that he would have been justified in shooting Mr. Zimmerman, who had followed him in a car, because he felt threatened?" President Obama said during moving remarks at a press conference in response to the Zimmerman verdict. "And if the answer to that question is at least ambiguous, it seems to me that we might want to examine those kinds of laws."

Trayvon's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, have created a foundation in their son's honor "to create awareness of how violent crime impacts the families of the victims and to provide support and advocacy for those families."

A Black History Program today in the Tenderloin

When: Tuesday, February 26, 2019 from 4-6 pm

Where: 145 Taylor Street, Curran House Community Room & Lounge

The Black Unity Partnership is hosting an event focused on history and healing in the Black community. Join the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) community organizing team and others as we celebrate Black History Month. Participate in interactive activities. Mingle with Community leaders. Enjoy Music and Food!

Almanac - Tuesday 2/26/19

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