📚History & Birthday Facts 10/17

3 days ago

1 min read

Mae Jemison (1956) – Physician, engineer, and NASA astronaut who became the first Black woman to travel into space.
Ziggy Marley (1968) – Grammy Award-winning reggae musician, singer-songwriter, and son of Bob Marley.
Wood Harris (1969) – Actor best known for The Wire, Paid in Full, Remember the Titans, and the Creed films.
Wyclef Jean (1969) – Grammy Award-winning rapper, singer, producer, and founding member of the Fugees.
Sharon Leal (1972) – Actress and singer known for Dreamgirls, Why Did I Get Married?, and This Christmas.
Howard Rollins (1950–1996) – Acclaimed actor known for Ragtime, A Soldier's Story, and In the Heat of the Night.
Queen Naija (1995) – R&B singer-songwriter known for “Medicine,” “Karma,” and “Butterflies.”

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1711📚Jupiter Hammon publishes the 1st Black poetry book which is why today is declared BLACK POETRY DAY. He is known as a founder of Black American poetry. He published his 1st poem at the age of 50. He was also a well known respected preacher & bookeeper
1969🔹️Dr. Clifton R. Wharton Jr. elected president of Michigan State University becoming the 1st Black to head a major, predominantly white university in the twentieth century
1970🎶The Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" hits #1 for 5 weeks
2000🎶Ludacris released his 2nd album Back for the 1st Time
2022🎶Lil Uzi Vert released I Just Wanna Rock
2025🎶Gucci Mane released Episodes