1994: bob Marley is introduced to the Rock and Roll hall of fame
1977:Clifford Alexanderis named the first black person named Secretary of the United States Army
January 20
1960:U.S. Court of Federal Claims overturns the Other Than Honorable discharge issued by the Air Force to Fannie Mae Clackum for her alleged homosexuality. This is the first known instance of a homosexuality-related discharge being successfully fought, although the case turned on due process issues and did not affect the military’s policy of excluding homosexuals from service
1977: the Washington Supreme Court upholds the firing of Wilson High School teacher James Gaylord for being gay after he joined The Dorian Society, a Seattle support group for gay men. The court agreed with a lower court that “A teacher's efficiency is determined by his relationship with students, their parents, fellow teachers and school administrators.
January 23
1964: The 24th Amendment to the US Constitution is ratified. It abolishes poll tax, which was used as a means of preventing African Americans from voting.
1978: NYC Mayor Ed Koch issues Executive Order 50 which forbid discrimination against gay men and lesbians in municipal government.
January 26
1948:Executive Order 9981, to end segregation in US Armed Forces is signed by President Harry Truman.
1863: War Department authorized Massachusetts governor to recruit Black troops. The Fifty-fourths Massachusetts Volunteers was first Black regiment recruited in North.
January 27 1972: The New York City Council vetoes a proposed gay rights ordinance that would have prohibited discrimination against gay men and lesbians in employment, housing and public accommodations. The bill remains a hotly contested part of City Council politics for the next 14 years.
The same day Mahalia Jackson, legendary gospel singer who was also one of the most influential vocalists who helped spread gospel blues to black churches throughout the U.S. and occasionally joined MLK jr. at civil rights events dies at 60.
jANUARY 31 2017, UK – Thousands of gay and bisexual men who were convicted of now-abolished sexual offenses in Britain have been posthumously pardoned under a new policing law, the Justice Ministry announces. 1962: Samuel L Gravely becomes first Black person to command a U.S. warship.
