This Week In Black History

Harold Washington was elected the first Black mayor of Chicago on this day. His winning the primary and general elections encouraged Blacks throughout the country to register to vote. During the four years and seven months that he served as mayor, he left a legacy of Black appointments to top city government jobs, positions that Blacks had never held before. A native of Chicago, Washington was born on April 15, 1922. He attended the city's Roosevelt University and earned a B.A. in 1949 and earned his law degree in 1952 from Northwestern University. Washington was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1953 and commenced the practice of law in Chicago. He later served 16 years in the Illinois Legislature from 1965-1981 and two years in the United States House of Representatives (1981-83). He died November 25, 1987, seven months after he won election to a second term.

April 13, 1997--

Tiger Woods, professional golfer, made sports history on this day when he became the first Black and youngest winner of the Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA. Woods was only 21 years old! He finished at 18 under par 270 to earn the tournament's traditional Green Jacket and the $486,000 first-place prize. Woods, whose name is Eldrick, was nicknamed "Tiger" after a Vietnamese soldier who was his father's friend. Born in 1975, Woods picked up the game as a toddler watching from a high chair as his father, Earl Woods, a former Army lieutenant colonel, hit golf balls into a net in his garage. By the time he was 3, he shot 48 for nine holes. In 1996, Woods decided to leave Stanford University to enter the pros. The following year he won the Masters and was ranked as the No. 1 golfer in the world! In addition to being the world's greatest golfer, he is also the richest Black athlete. Woods was projected to have earned some $50 million in winnings and endorsement deals last year alone. Woods gives millions back through a foundation that his father heads. He currently resides in Orlando, FL.