(1908) Jack Johnson is first black heavyweight boxing champion |
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American fighter Jack Johnson, the son of two former slaves, defeats Canadian Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia. The fight lasts 14 rounds until police stop it and the title is awarded to Johnson on a referee’s decision. Johnson will hold the title until 1915 when he’ll lose a grueling fight with a working cowboy. |
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(1966) The first Kwanzaa holiday is celebrated |
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Professor Maulana Karenga develops Kwanzaa in the wake of the deadly Watts riots to help build community among black people. The seven-day nonreligious holiday, inspired by African harvest festivals, focuses on seven principles, such as unity and purpose, to celebrate black culture. |
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(1972) Former US President Harry Truman dies at age 88 |
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The 33rd president of the US dies of multiple-organ failure after several weeks in the hospital. His wife, Bess, will opt for a small private burial in their hometown of Independence, Missouri, instead of a state funeral in DC, thinking it a more fitting goodbye for the down-to-earth Truman. |
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(2004) Indian Ocean earthquake triggers tsunamis, killing over 230,000 |
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A 9.3 magnitude underwater earthquake off the coast of Sumatra creates huge tsunamis that devastate Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and other areas in the Indian Ocean. Many of the countries hit lack tsunami warning systems, so people have little time to escape the deadly walls of water. |
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DIH v2.11.d16 |