Luther Vandross was one of the most successful R&B vocalists of the late 20th century, famous for his lush voice, soulful and romantic ballads, and his many collaborations with such stars as Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson. Luther Vandross got his big break in the 1970s, as a back-up singer and then session musician and producer with the likes of David Bowie, Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand. His debut solo album, Never Too Much (1981), was the first of many successes, and during the 1980s and 90s he was the dominant male vocalist on the R&B charts, with hits that included the duets How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye (1983,with Warwick) and Endless Love (1994, with Mariah Carey). Vandross was a big man, and his struggles with his weight were well-known to his fans; later in life he also had diabetes. On April 16, 2003, Luther Vandross suffered a stroke and lapsed into a coma; he had recently completed the album Dance With My Father, which included collaborations with Queen Latifah, Beyoncé Knowles, Foxy Brown and Busta Rhymes. Vandross came out of the coma in June and the album went on to win four Grammys in 2004. Vandross died the next year.

Extra Credit

Luther Vandross sold 25 million albums during his lifetime, according to his 2005 obituary in The Independent.

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Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett becomes the first African American to serve in a diplomatic post for the U.S. (Consul-General to Haiti and the Dominican Republic)

Isaac Murphy was born on April 16, 1861 as Isaac Burns near Frankfort, Kentucky on a farm to parents James Burns and a mother whose name is unknown.

Louisiana voters approved new constitution and elected state officers, including the first Black lieutenant governor, Oscar J. Dunn, and the first Black state treasurer, Antoine Dubuclet. Article Thirteen of the new constitution banned segregation in public accommodation: All the persons shall enjoy equal rights and privileges upon any conveyances of a public character; and all places of business, or of public resort, or for which a license is required by either State, Parish or municipal authority, shall be deemed places of a public character and shall be opened to the accommodation and patronage of all persons, without distinction or discrimination on account of race or color.

Martin Lawrence is an American actor and comedian who has starred in numerous Hollywood hits. He was born on April 16, 1965 to John and Chlora Lawrence. John Lawrence was enlisted in the U.S. military and serving in Frankfurt, Germany at the time so Martin was born there. He was named after the iconic civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. His parents divorced when he was 8 years old, and subsequently Lawrence rarely met with his father who was now working as a police officer. His mother worked several jobs to support herself and her children. He attended several schools including Thomas G. Pullen School of Creative and Performing Arts in Maryland. During his teenage, he was a skilled boxer and might even have turned pro if not for an eye injury which made him reconsider his decision.

Lawrence was a gifted comedian from an early age, and at the encouragement of one of his teachers, he attended an open mic night at a comedy club “The Improv”. Soon, he was accepted as a contestant on the television show “Star Search” which was a talent competition with different genres of entertainment. Lawrence made it to the finals but eventually lost. However, his impressive performance landed him another role, this time on the television sitcom “What’s Happening Now!!”. The show was cancelled shortly and Lawrence accepted a number of inconsequential roles before making his breakthrough in the Spike Lee film “Do the Right Thing”. This was soon followed by other concrete roles including “Boomerang”, a romantic comedy starring Eddie Murphy.

Lawrence was then selected to host the HBO television series “Def Comedy Jam” which featured several prominent future comedians such as Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle and Bernie Mac. During this time, he started his own television series by the name of “Martin” which aired from 1992 to 1997 and went on to become such a huge success that it was single handedly responsible for boosting FOX TV’s ratings against NBC as the top network contender. Lawrence hosted the hit television show

Contralto singer Carol Brice was born in Sedalia, North Carolina on April 16, 1918 into a musical family.

Akon is an American Hip Hop artist who has produced several platinum albums, appeared in television and film roles, received several Grammy nominations and owns two record labels. He was born Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Bongo Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam  in St. Louis, Missouri on April 16, 1973. His mother was a dancer and his father was a jazz musician, which exposed him to music from an early age. He learned to play 5 instruments including drums and guitar. As a child he lived in Senegal, Africa but the family returned to the U.S. when he was 7 years old. They settled in New Jersey, where Akon attended high school. He has stated in interviews that he is from a Muslim background and has never consumed alcohol or smoked, although there is some uncertainty regarding that fact.

Akon attended university for one semester in Atlanta, Georgia before dropping out to pursue his musical career. He spent some time in jail for being involved in car theft, and used this time to focus on music. Upon his release, he teamed up with Devyne Stephens, president of Upfront Megatainment who helped him to polish his talents and was also friends with Wyclef Jean from the band “The Fugees”. He was then discovered by Jerome Foster of SRC Records, who flew to Atlanta with SRC’s CEO Steve Rifkind to meet with Akon. The musical connection was instantaneous, and Akon released his first album with their label in 2004, titled “Trouble”. It featured several hit singles such as “Locked Up”, “Lonely”, “Belly Dancer (Bananza)”, “Pot Of Gold”, and “Ghetto”.

Akon started his new record label Kon Live Distribution and then released his second album titled “Konvicted” in November 2006. It was a huge success, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 charts and included several chart topping songs. It also featured collaborations with other artists such as Eminem in the song “Smack That” and Snoop Dogg in the song “I Wanna Love You.” It has been certified as triple platinum in the United States. In 2007, Akon launched his own clothing line by

The oldest of five children, Hemphill was born on April 16, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Mantalene and Warren Hemphill.

Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in the year 1914, Ralph Ellison was a celebrated National Book Award winner for his novel “Invisible Man”. He was awarded this this title in the year 1953. Even though he was best known for this novel, that is not all Ralph Ellison was. Ralph Ellison, besides being was novelist was an acclaimed writer, critic and scholar. His famous work on “Shadow and Art” was a collection of social, political and critical essays. He also wrote Going to the Territory in the year 1986.

Ralph Ellison was born to Lewis Alfred Ellison and Ida Millsap. His father died when Ralph was three years old due to stomach ulcers. Growing up, Ralph discovered his talent for being a poet. In the year 1933, Ellison took admission in the Tuskegee Institute on a scholarship in order to pursue music. Belonging to the most renowned music department, Ralph studied music under the wings of its conductor William L. Dawson. During his study as a musician, Ralph was cited in the library of the institute studying modernist classics. It is said to be the most awakening moment of his life where he realized his true potential and went on to becoming a renowned writer and critic.

After his four years of study the Tuskegee Institute, Ralph moved to New York City to study photography and sculptor. In New York City he met the famous artist Romare Bearden and the author Richard Wright. With Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison established a long and nurturing relationship. Ralph wrote a book review for Richard Wright and he was so impressed with his writing capabilities that he Ellison to pursue a career in writing, fiction specifically. “Hymie’s Bull” was the first published story by Ralph that was inspired by his hoboing on a train with his uncle in order to get to Tuskegee. Ralph has 20 book reviews to his credit, which he wrote between the years 1937 to 1944. He also wrote articles and short stories that went on to being published in different magazines. New Masses and New Challenge were one of the few pieces of his writing.

Baritone singer Roy Hamilton was born in Leesburg, Georgia. Hamiltons biggest hits of the 50s were Unchained Melody and Youll Never Walk Alone.

Lelia Smith Foley becomes the first African American woman to be elected mayor of a U.S. city (Taft, OK)

On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill ending slavery in the District of Columbia. Passage of this act came

9 months before President Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation. The act brought to conclusion decades of agitation

aimed at ending what antislavery advocates called the national shame of slavery in the nations capital.

The law provided for immediate emancipation, compensation of up to $300 for each slave to loyal Unionist masters, voluntary

colonization of former slaves to colonies outside the United States, and payments of up to $100 to each person choosing

emigration. Over the next 9 months, the federal government paid almost $1 million for the freedom of approximately 3,100

former slaves.

The District of Columbia Emancipation Act is the only example of compensated emancipation in the United States. Though its

three-way approach of immediate emancipation, compensation, and colonization did not serve as a model for the future, it was

an early signal of slaverys death. Emancipation was greeted with great jubilation by the Districts African-American community.

For many years afterward, black Washingtonians celebrated Emancipation Day on April 16 with parades and festivals

Three Louisiana segregationists were excommunicated by Archbisop Joseph Rummel for continuing their opposition to his order for integration of New Orleans parochial schools.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , also called (until 1971) Lew Alcindor, byname of Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. (born April 16, 1947, New York, New York, U.S.), American collegiate and professional basketball player who, as a 7-foot 2-inch- (2.18-metre-) tall centre, dominated the game throughout the 1970s and early ’80s.

Alcindor played for Power Memorial Academy on the varsity for four years, and his total of 2,067 points set a New York City high school record. His offensive skill was so developed coming out of high school that the collegiate basketball rules committee, fearing he would be able to score at will, made dunking illegal prior to his enrollment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in 1965. Despite the new rule, he set a UCLA scoring record with 56 points in his first game. Playing for renowned coach John Wooden, Alcindor helped lead UCLA to three National Collegiate Athletic Association championships (1967–69), and during his stay at UCLA the team lost only two games. The no-dunking rule was rescinded in the years after Alcindor graduated.

Alcindor joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) Milwaukee Bucks for the 1969–70 season and was named Rookie of the Year. In 1970–71 the Bucks won the NBA championship, and Alcindor led the league in scoring (2,596 points) and points-per-game average (31.7), as he did in 1971–72 (2,822 points; 34.8). Having converted to Islam while at UCLA, Alcindor took the Arabic name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971. In 1975 he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, who won the NBA championship in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. In 1984 he surpassed Wilt Chamberlain’s career scoring total of 31,419 points.

Although Abdul-Jabbar lacked the physical strength of NBA centres Wilt Chamberlain and Willis Reed, he brought an excellent shooting touch to the position and a wide range of graceful post moves, including his sweeping, nearly indefensible sky hook. He also was an outstanding passer. Abdul-Jabbar retired at the end of the 1988–89 season, having been voted

District of Columbia Emancipation Act

April 16, 1862

CHAP. LIV. — An Act for the Release of certain Persons held to Service or Labor in the District of Columbia.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all persons held to service or labor within the District of Columbia by reason of African descent are hereby discharged and freed of and from all claim to such service or labor; and from and after the passage of this act neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for crime, whereof the party shall be duly convicted, shall hereafter exist in said District.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That all persons loyal to the United States, holding claims to service or labor against persons discharged there from by this act, may, within ninety days from the passage thereof, but not thereafter, present to the commissioners hereinafter mentioned their respective statements or petitions in writing, verified by oath or affirmation, setting forth the names, ages, and personal description of such persons, the manner in which said petitioners acquired such claim, and any facts touching the value thereof, and declaring his allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that he has not borne arms against the United States during the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto: Provided, That the oath of the party to the petition shall not be evidence of the facts therein stated.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint three commissioners, residents of the District of Columbia, any two of whom shall have power to act, who shall receive the petitions above mentioned, and who shall investigate and determine the validity and value of the claims therein presented, as aforesaid, and appraise and apportion, under the proviso hereto annexed, the value in money of the several claims by them found to be valid: Provided, however, That the

The leading scorer in the history of NBA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won 6 of the most prestigious NBA titles, five of which were with the Los Angeles Lakers over a period of 20 years. His list of achievements is one of the most extraordinary in league’s history. Not only was Kareem a member of six NBA championships, he also scored the NBA MVP six times and the NBA Finals MVP twice. In addition to this, he is the 19 time All Star, two time scoring champion and a member of the 35th and 50th NBA Anniversary All Time Teams. And if this is not enough, Kareem also has the privilege of owning eight playoff records along with seven All Star records. No other player has ever matched the achievements and success of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Kareem was born on April 16, 1947 in New York City. His father, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr was a policeman. Kareem was always the tallest kid in class. Being 5’8” at the age of 9 years was quite impressive. By the time he was in eighth grade, Kareem could easily dunk a basketball. He later reached a height of 7’2”.  Kareem’s interest in basketball began at an early age. He was a prominent high school basketball player and led his school to becoming the #1 High School Team of the Century. He was signed up to play for UCLA where he trained and played under the renowned coach John Wooden, Kareem ended up winning three national titles. He was also titled the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player for those years. His control over the game continued to shine, first for the Milwaukee Bucks, and later the Los Angeles Lakers.

Never failing on his fitness, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar followed a strict physical fitness regimen that always kept him ahead of his time and even players 10 years his junior had a hard time keeping up with him. No other player has ever been accurately able to duplicate his sky-hook shot. His presence brought quickness, grace and versatility to the center position which was previously reserved by size and power. Despite his professional

Don Redman performed the first recorded scat vocals while a member of Fletcher Hendersons Orchestra. Scat singing is an improvised vocal instrumentation composed of nonsense syllables. Don Redman scatted a few bars of My Papa Doesnt Two-Time No Time, recorded in New York by Columbia. Although Louis Armstrong is generally credited with having recorded the first scat vocals, Don Redman actually preceded him by two years.

When Walter Tucker II died of cancer during his third termas Compton'smayor, younger Tucker ran for the mayor's post and won the special election onApril 16, 1991.

South African black leader Nelson Mandela made an appearance at a huge pop concert held in his honor during a visit to Britain

Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar born Lewis F. Alcindor, Jr. in New York City.

Maj. Gen. B.O. Davis Jr., assistant deputy chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, named lieutenant general, the highest rank attained by a Black to date in the armed services.