Hiram Rhodes Revels of Mississippi was sworn in as the first Black U.S. Senator on this date in 1870.
Cassius Clay, boxing legend, changed his name to Muhammad Ali after converting to Islam on this date in 1964 immediately after winning his first heavyweight title (KO of Sonny Liston, round seven).
Elijah Muhammad, activist and founder of the Nation of Islam, died at age 77, in Chicago, on this date in 1975.
Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr., the first Black Four-Star General in the U.S. Air Force, died at the Air Force Academy in Colorado on this date in 1978.
Edgar Daniel “E.D.” Nixon, civil rights leader and primary figure in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, died in Montgomery, AL, on this date in 1987.
Courtesy of Yenoba.com and Google
Unclerave's Wordy Weblog 
Also the day George Harrison thought he was born until the very last years of his life. As. it turned out, he was born on Feb. 24th 1943. Something to do with war raids in Liverpool or something. Yesterday or today, he would’ve been 77. Today. Happy Birthday, George, still speaking to us after all these years. And they’ve called you the Quiet One.
I love ALL things historic, Wes, but did I miss the part where George Harrison was revealed to have black blood??? LOL! But, yeah. I miss the guy. A remarkable guitarist/musician! — YUR