Today in Black History: April 3rd
1950- Carter G. Woodson Passes Away
Carter G. Woodson, born December 19, 1875, in New Canton, Virginia, rose from humble beginnings as the son of formerly enslaved parents. He worked various labor jobs before earning degrees from Berea College, the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. from Harvard. He taught in West Virginia, worked in the Philippines, traveled abroad, and became a scholar dedicated to Black history.
In 1915, Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and launched The Journal of Negro History. He published The Mis-Education of the Negro and founded Negro History Week. Woodson died on April 3, 1950, revered as the Father of Black History.
1964 – Malcolm X Gives “The Ballot or the Bullet” Speech
On April 3, 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio, Malcolm X delivered his famous speech, The Ballot or the Bullet. By this time, he had officially broken with the Nation of Islam and sought to separate his religious beliefs from his political activism. In this speech, he explained that although he left the Nation of Islam, his political vision remained rooted in Black nationalism.
Malcolm urged Black Americans to fight for civil rights “by any means necessary,” emphasizing that relying solely on non-violence could delay true freedom. He warned that if the ballot failed, Black Americans might be forced to turn to the bullet.
1996 – Carl B. Stokes Passes Away
Carl B. Stokes, born June 21, 1927, in Cleveland, Ohio, became the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city. After serving in the Army, he earned a law degree from Cleveland-Marshall Law School in 1958 and co-founded a law firm with his brother Louis Stokes. His political career began in 1962 with election to the Ohio House of Representatives.
In 1967, Stokes won Cleveland’s mayoral race, serving two terms. He championed civil rights and opened government roles to African Americans and women. Afterward, he became the nation’s first Black anchorman and later served as U.S. ambassador to Seychelles. He died on April 3, 1996.
