July 6, 1957 – Althea Gibson wins women’s singles title at Wimbledon, becoming first African American to win tennis’s most prestigious award.
July 7, 1948 – Cleveland Indians sign pitcher Leroy “Satchel” Paige.
July 8, 1943 – Faye Wattleton, first African American director of Planned Parenthood, born.
uly 9, 1893 – Dr. Daniel Hale Williams performs first successful open-heart surgery.
July 10, 1875 – Educator Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman College, born.
July 11, 1905 – W.E.B. DuBois and William Monroe Trotter organize the Niagara Movement, which demanded abolition of all race distinctions.
July 12, 1949 – Frederick M. Jones patents air-conditioning unit used in food transportation vehicles.