This week in Black history

Jet, Nov 3, 2003

October 29, 1987--

* Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns became the first fighter to win world boxing titles in four different classes on this day when he captured the vacant World Boxing Council middleweight title with a fourth-round knockout of Argentine Jaun Roldan in Las Vegas. Born October 18, 1958, in Grand Junction, TN, Hearns began his professional career in 1977. During his career he won six championships in five different weight classes, including IBF Lightweight, Super Welterweight, WBA World Welterweight, WBC Super Welterweight, and WBC Light Heavyweight. Hearns retired in 2000 with an impressive 59-4-1 (46 KOs) record and currently works as a boxing promoter.

November 2, 1983--

* The third Monday of January of each year was designated a federal holiday in honoring the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. when President Ronald Reagan signed the King holiday bill on this day. The signing took place in the White House Rose Garden in a formal ceremony attended by Coretta Scott King, Congress members, Civil Rights Movement veterans and other Black leaders. Indiana Congresswoman Katie Hall spearheaded the drive for the national holiday. A commission later was formed to arrange the first official celebration in 1986.