August 8, 1865 – Polar explorer Matthew Henson was born.
August 9, 1936 – Jesse Owens won fourth gold medal at Summer Olympics in Berlin.
August 10, 1989 – General Colin Powell was nominated chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first African American to hold the post.
August 11, 1921 – Alex Haley, author of Roots, was born.
August 12, 1977 – Steven Biko, leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa, was arrested.
August 13, 1981 – The Reagan Administration undertook its review of 30 federal regulations, including rules of civil rights to prevent job discrimination.
August 14, 1989 – The North Carolina Black Repertory Company hosted the first National Black Theater Festival in Winston-Salem, NC.
