May 8, 1983 – Lena Horne was awarded the Spingarn Medal for distinguished career in the field of entertainment.
May 9, 1899 – John Albert Burr patented lawn mower.
May 10, 1950 – Boston Celtics selected Chuck Cooper, first black player drafted to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
May 11, 1895 – Composer William Grant Still, the first African American to conduct a major American symphony orchestra, was born.
May 12, 1820 – The New York African Free School population reached 500.
May 13, 1872 – Matilda Arabella Evans, first African American woman to practice medicine in South Carollina, was born.
May 14, 1888 – Slavery was abolished in Brazil.
