Today in Black History: August 22nd
1920 – Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker Is Born
Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker, born August 29, 1920, in Kansas City, Missouri, was a revolutionary jazz musician whose bebop style redefined jazz as an intellectual pursuit. Initially struggling, Parker practiced intensely, guided by Buster Smith and inspired by Lester Young. Moving to New York in 1938, he discovered a new approach to chords that reshaped his music. His early recordings with Jay McShann and later work with Dizzy Gillespie established him as a leading figure in jazz. Despite battling addiction and erratic behavior, Parker’s innovative fusion of blues, Kansas City style, and harmonic complexity left a lasting legacy. He died on March 12, 1955, at age 34.
1924 – Dinah Washington Is Born
Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones on August 29, 1924, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was a legendary singer known as the ‘Queen of the Blues.’ Moving to Chicago as a child, she began singing gospel and playing piano at her church. Influenced by blues and jazz, Washington joined Lionel Hampton’s band at 18 and recorded her first hit, “Evil Gal Blues,” under her new stage name. Her powerful voice led to R&B hits like “Baby Get Lost” and the Grammy-winning “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes.” Despite later struggles, she influenced many and was honored with a street named after her. Washington died on December 14, 1963, from a prescription overdose at age 39.
1949 – Charles R. Stith Is Born
Born August 29, 1949, in St. Louis, Missouri, Stith earned degrees from Baker University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, and Harvard Divinity School. He began his ministry at Union United Methodist Church in Boston, where he became senior minister at 30 and led anti-apartheid protests. In 1987, Stith founded the Organization for the New Equality (ONE), securing $500 million for community reinvestment and influencing the Community Reinvestment Act. Appointed U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania by President Clinton in 1994, he helped stabilize U.S.-Tanzanian relations and support economic reforms. Now retired, Stith continues urban reform work in Boston and teaches at Boston University.
1958 – Michael Jackson Is Born
Despite personal and legal troubles, Michael Jackson remains one of the most successful pop stars ever. Born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, Jackson’s early talent with The Jackson Five led to hits like “I Want You Back.” He achieved solo success with the albums Off The Wall and Thriller, the latter becoming the highest-selling album globally with over 100 million copies. Jackson’s impact included sweeping the 1984 Grammys, iconic moves like the moonwalk, and co-writing “We Are the World.” He won thirteen Grammys and was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jackson died on June 25, 2009.
