CalEvents:Jan/Jan 23

Notable events for January 23

Date

Event

Significance

January 23, 1837

Birth of Amanda Smith, African-American evangelist and missionary

Amanda Smith, born on this day, became a prominent African-American evangelist, missionary, and social reformer. She traveled extensively, spreading Christian teachings and advocating for racial and gender equality, both in the United States and abroad.

January 23, 1897

Birth of Randolph S. Driver, civil rights leader and founder of Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) chapter

Randolph S. Driver, born on this day, played a key role in spreading Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and its philosophy of Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism. He established one of the largest UNIA chapters in the U.S., promoting economic and social empowerment for African-Americans.

January 23, 1964

Ratification of the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

The 24th Amendment, ratified on this day, abolished poll taxes in federal elections. This was a significant victory in the fight for African-American voting rights, as poll taxes had long been used to disenfranchise Black voters in the southern United States.

January 23, 1973

U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade impacts African-American women

The Roe v. Wade decision, handed down on this day, legalized abortion across the United States. The ruling had a significant impact on African-American women’s access to reproductive rights, and it highlighted the racial inequalities in health care and family planning services.

January 23, 1981

Death of Samuel Gravely, first African-American admiral in the U.S. Navy

Samuel Gravely, who became the first African-American admiral in the U.S. Navy, passed away on this day. His pioneering career broke racial barriers in the military and served as a symbol of African-American achievement in the armed forces.

January 23, 1996

South Africa adopts the final version of its post-apartheid constitution

On this day, South Africa adopted the final version of its post-apartheid constitution, which enshrined equal rights and freedoms for all citizens. The new constitution was a key milestone in the country’s transition to democracy after the fall of apartheid.

January 23, 2014

Anti-government protests in Egypt’s Tahrir Square

On this day, large anti-government protests took place in Egypt’s Tahrir Square, marking the third anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution. The protests were part of the broader Arab Spring movement, which had a significant impact on North Africa and the African diaspora.

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