This week in Black history

Jet, June 21, 2004

June 15, 1877--

* Henry O. Flipper became the first Blackgraduate of West Point Military Academy on this day. Flipper attended Atlanta University where he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. Even though he was not the first Black to attend, he was the first Black to graduate in 1877. He received his commission as second lieutenant and was assigned to the Black 10th Cavalry Regiment in 1878. In November 1881, in an apparent racial incident, he was accused by his White commanding officer of embezzling funds. Although Flipper was acquitted of embezzlement, he was found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and dishonorably discharged in 1882. For the rest of his life Flipper tried to vindicate himself; however, in 1976, 36 years after his death, a probe indicated officers had framed him, and he was posthumously granted an honorable discharge. On the 100th anniversary of his graduation, West Point unveiled a bust in honor of him.

June 18, 1991--

* Wellington Webb, politician, was elected the first Black mayor of Denver on this day. Webb defeated county prosecutor Norm Early, who was also Black, with 57 percent of the vote in a runoff election. He was re-elected mayor in ]995 and to a third four-year term in 1999. Mayor Webb's distinguished public service career began in 1972, when he was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives. In 1977, he was selected by President Jimmy Carter to serve as regional director of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Webb earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Colorado State College at Greeley in 1964 and a master's in sociology from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley in 1971. Barred by term limits from seeking a fourth term, Wellington ended his third and final term in 2003. Webb, who has served as vice president of communications for the National Conference of Democratic Mayors, is currently on the board of directors at Maximus, a leading government services company devoted to providing program management, consulting and information technology services.