(Photo By Flickr User Officer Phil)

Black History Plus for February 15th & 16th:

February 15th:

1968- On this day Henry Lewis becomes the first African-American to lead a symphony orchestra in the United States.

1965- Nathaniel Adams "King" Cole (45), singer and pianist, died in Santa Monica, CA.

1964- Louis Armstrong's "Hello Dolly" recording becomes his first and only number one record.

1961- U.S. &  African Nationalists protesting the slaying of Congo Premire Patrice Lumumba distrupts U.N. sessions

1851- Black Abolitionists invaded Boston, MA courtroom and rescued a fugitive slave.

1848- Sarah Roberts barred from white school in Boston, MA. Her father, Benjamin Roberts, filed the first school integration suit on her behalf.

1804- The New Jersey Legislature approved a law calling for "gradual" emancipation of African- Americans. In so doing, New Jersey became the last Northern state to outlaw slavery.

February 16th:

1970- Joe Frazier knocked out Jimmy Ellis in the second round of their New York fight and became the world heavyweight boxing champion.

1957- Actor Levar Burton was born in Landsthul, Germany. Burton won fame for his acting in the television movie "Roots," which was based on the novel by Alex Haley. He became known once more in the 1980s and 1990s for his recurring role in the "Star Trek: Next Generation" series and movies.

1951- New York City Council passed bill prohibiting racial discrimination in city-assisted housing developments.

1923- On this day Bessie Smith makes her first recording, "Down Hearted Blues," which sells 800,000 copies for Columbia Records.

1857- Frederick Douglass elected President of Freedman Bank and Trust.