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1996
Willie L. Brown Jr., who served as Speaker of the California Assembly for the last 14 years, was elected as the first black Mayor of San Francisco. Robert Bell, a Harvard University Law School graduate became Chief Justice of Maryland’s State Supreme Court. The United States first black Commerce Secretary; Ronald Harmon Brown was killed when a plane carrying 34 other people on a Balkans trade mission crashed into a Croatian mountaintop.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation of Washington D.C. placed Southern Black Churches at the top of the Nations most endangered historic sites. Fires classified as arson burned over 36 churches and threatens to destroy one of the most important African Americans Institutions. The Museum of African American History in Detroit reopens as the nations largest black museum.
Michael Jordan is set to earn $25 to $30 million dollars for leading the Chicago Bulls to a fifth NBA Championship.
Atlanta, Georgia hosted the Worlds greatest sporting event-1996 Centennial Olympic Games. As a result, traditional black colleges Clark Atlanta, Spelman, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown, and Morehouse played major roles in hosting the games practices or events. Morehouse received a new state-of-the-art basketball facility. Spelman has new tennis courts and feel the world was exposed to its multi-million dollar art museum. Clark Atlanta has a new 5000 seat stadium, a brand new track surface, upgraded baseball field, and Hi-tech dormitory building. Morris Brown received a 15000-seat stadium with classrooms and weight room. And Morehouse School of Medicine has a new million dollar Sports Research Center.
1997
Charles Freeman was appointed Chief Justice of the Illinois State Supreme Court. Conrad Mallett became the youngest Chief Justice at 43 years old. He was appointed to head Michigan’s State Supreme Court. David Satcher, MD, PHD, a four star Admiral was chosen by President Clinton to serve as U.S. Surgeon General, making him the first black male to hold that post.Twenty-one year old Eldrick ‘Tiger’ Woods won golf’s most prestigious event, The Masters. His feat caused a rise in minorities interest in playing and following Golf.
More and more African Americans are abandoning the north and returning to the southern areas from which they or their parents came. Cities such as Atlanta, Montgomery, Little Rock, Charlotte and the more rural areas of the south are experiencing this reversal of "the great migration" to the north some 90 years ago.
In October, Philadelphia Activists Phile’ Chionesu and Asia Coney realized the fruits of Their efforts-The Million Woman March. Black women from all over the country convened in Philadelphia and marched to Benjamin Franklin’s Park to exhibit solidarity with their sisters.
1998
In June, 49 year old James Byrd Jr., a disabled black man died after 3 white men tied him to the back of their pickup truck and dragged him over a rough dirt in Texas.
After taking the Viagra (Thrill) pill, a 70-year old New York man dumped his 63-year-old lover stating "It’s time for me to be a stud again. The Viagra pill allows people suffering from impotency to enjoy sexual relations again. It is taking mostly by men.
A Budget Surplus of $70 billion was realized at the end of the United States Fiscal. According to a Gallup Poll, President Clinton was the most admired man in America. His rating was 4% higher than before the Monica (the Dress) Lewinsky sex scandal.
The Los Angeles Times reported a deadly drug over turf in Imam’s Overtown neighborhood. The police reported a would be assassin "was so eager to fire at his street corner targets that he did not bother to roll down the window of his own car before unleashing a volley from a high-powered assault weapon. "In this game, territory is worth a lot more than human life. And a body count is a good thing" said Miami police Lieutenant Bill Schwartz.
Two Articles of Impeachment on President Clinton passed the House of Representatives in one of the most partisan debates and vote ever held. Against the American public’s wishes and Democratic opposition, Republicans sent the whole sordid matter to the Senate for trial.
‘Contract with Americas’ Republican Newt Gingrich-once described as the most powerful man in Washington resigned as Speaker of the House in December.
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