MLK's Youngest Son, Dexter Scott King, Dead at 62 from Prostate Cancer

Remembering Maya Angelou

Remembering Maya Angelou. Marguerite Annie Johnson was born on April 4, 1928, and died on May 28, 2014. Here are five facts in honor of the poet. 1. Angelou was the second poet in history to read a poem at a presidential inauguration. 2. She worked with both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. 3. She was named Wake Forest University's first Reynolds Professor of American Studies in 1982. 4. Angelou was the first Black woman to conduct a streetcar in San Francisco. 5. Prior to becoming a poet, she was in an opera, ‘Porgy and Bess,’ and a journalist. Happy Birthday, Maya Angelou!

This Day in History: Martin Luther King Jr. Is Assassinated

This Day in History: , Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Is Assassinated. April 4, 1968. King was shot and killed as he stood on the second-floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN. The “apostle of nonviolence” had gone to Memphis in support of a sanitation workers' strike. Widely recognized as the most prominent face of the American Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King was just 39 years old. In a prophetic speech the night before his murder, King stated that, “I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you.". Petty criminal James Earl Ray was arrested two months later and eventually pleaded guilty to King's assassination. After being sentenced to 99 years in prison, Ray recanted his confession. Questions of a conspiracy to assassinate Dr. King continue to linger. King's death sparked riots in more than 100 American cities. On April 9, tens of thousands of mourners lined the streets of Atlanta to pay their respects on the day King was laid to rest

This Day in History: Selma to Montgomery March Begins

This Day in History:, Selma to Montgomery March Begins. March 21, 1965. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., between 3,000 and 8,000 marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge out of Selma on their way to Montgomery. Over the next five days, they were protected by thousands of federalized Alabama National Guardsmen and soldiers. Their numbers would swell to around 25,000. At the state capitol, King would give his famous "How Long, Not Long" speech. The march came just days after the passage of the civil rights legislation known as the Voting Rights Act. The passage of the legislation followed two unsuccessful attempts at the march which ended in violence between police and the peaceful protestors. President Lyndon Johnson cited the violence, which had been broadcast on national television, as a turning point in American history. How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

This Day in History: Prince Dies (Sun., April 21)

This Day in History: , Prince Dies. April 21, 2016. The iconic musician, 57, was found dead at his estate, Paisley Park, in Minnesota. Prince had overdosed on fentanyl. His death was ruled accidental. Over the span of four decades, Prince transcended genre and created more than 30 albums, his first in 1978 for Warner Bros. Prince often played all of the instruments on the album himself. He was charismatic and electrifying on stage. His 1984 album 'Purple Rain' sold 13 million copies. It was number one on the 'Billboard' 200 chart for 24 consecutive weeks. He won seven Grammy awards. His final album was released in 2015, just months before his death. Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent, President Obama, via History.com

Carl Erskine, 1950s Dodgers Pitcher, Dead at 97

Carl Erskine, , 1950s Dodgers Pitcher, , Dead at 97. NBC reports that the baseball legend died at Community Hospital Anderson in Indiana. He was one of the last surviving members of the celebrated Brooklyn teams from the 1950s, having spent his entire career playing for the Dodgers. He was one of the last surviving members of the celebrated Brooklyn teams from the 1950s, having spent his entire career playing for the Dodgers. Between 1948 and 1959, Erskine and the Dodgers took home five National League pennants. Between 1948 and 1959, Erskine and the Dodgers took home five National League pennants. The right-handed pitcher had a career record of 122-78 with 981 strikeouts and an ERA of 4.00. Erskine's best season came in 1953 when he led the National League with a record of 20-6. In 1954, Erskine had another All-Star season, winning 18 games. Out of his five World Series appearances, the Dodgers beat the Yankees in 1955 to win their only championship. Out of his five World Series appearances, the Dodgers beat the Yankees in 1955 to win their only championship. With Erskine's passing, 88-year-old Sandy Koufax becomes the lone surviving Dodgers player from that 1955 World Series team. With Erskine's passing, 88-year-old Sandy Koufax becomes the lone surviving Dodgers player from that 1955 World Series team. In July of 2023, the Baseball Hall of Fame's board of directors awarded Erskine with the Buck O'Neil lifetime achievement award. In July of 2023, the Baseball Hall of Fame's board of directors awarded Erskine with the Buck O'Neil lifetime achievement award. For millions of fans, he was a baseball hero. For his family and thousands of Special Olympians, Carl was someone who always believed everything was possible. , Jane Forbes Clark, Baseball Hall of Fame chairman, via NBC. His legacy is one of deep compassion and encouragement of the human spirit, Jane Forbes Clark, Baseball Hall of Fame chairman, via NBC

OJ Simpson Dead at 76

OJ Simpson , Dead at 76. The football star and actor who was acquitted of murder charges in the '90s has died after battling prostate cancer, ESPN reports. . His family took to X on April 10 to share the news of his death. . On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. , O.J. Simpson's family, via X. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. , O.J. Simpson's family, via X. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace, O.J. Simpson's family, via X. Simpson played in the NFL for 11 seasons, nine of which were with the Buffalo Bills. But his football career was overshadowed by the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in 1994. But his football career was overshadowed by the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in 1994. Simpson, a murder suspect at the time, famously led L.A. police on a low-speed chase in a white Ford Bronco driven by Al Cowlings. About 95 million people tuned in to watch the televised chase. About 95 million people tuned in to watch the televised chase. In 1995, Simpson was found not guilty of murder, but in 1997, he was found liable for the two deaths and was ordered to pay the victims' family members $33.5 million. At the age of 61, Simpson was imprisoned for armed robbery and other felonies. . He served a nine-year sentence.