January 12, 1948 – U.S. Supreme Court rules that African Americans have the right to study law at state institutions.
January 13, 1990 – L. Douglas Wilder becomes first African American U.S. governor (Virginia) since Reconstruction. 1913 – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated becomes the 2nd black Greek letter organization.
January 14, 1975 – William T. Coleman named U.S. Scretary of Transportation.
January 15, 1908 – Alpha Kappa Alpha, first African American sorority, is founded at Howard University.
January 16, 1978 – NASA names black astronauts: Maj. Frederick D. Gregory, Maj. Guion S. Bluford, and Dr. Ronald McNair.
January 17, 1942 – Threetime heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali born.
January 18, 1856 – Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, pioneer heart surgeon, born.
