Daily Black History Facts: 2/1

2/1/1865 - The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, was adopted by the 38th Congress. Ratification was completed December 6, 1865.

2/1/1871 - Jefferson Long of Georgia became the first Black to make an official speech in the House of Representatives. He opposed leniency to former Confederates.

2/1/1926 - What is now known as Black History Month, was first celebrated on this date as Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson. It became a month long celebration in 1976.

2/1/1937 - Actor/Comedian Garrett Morris (Saturday Night Live, Martin)is born in New Orleans

2/1/1952 - Rock/Funk singer Rick James is born

2/1/1960 - Four students form North Carolina A&T College started Sit-in movement at Greensboro, N.C., five-and-dime store. By February 10 movement had spread to fifteen Southern cities in five states.

2/1/1965 - Ruby Dee was the first African American actress to play a major role at the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford Conn.

2/1/1974 - TV Show "Good Times" premiered on CBS.

2/1/1978 - The first stamp of the U.S. Postal Service's Black Heritage USA series honors Harriet Tubman, famed abolitionist and "conductor" on the Underground Railroad