Black History Knowledge — September 12

What happened on this day. These are the September 12 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on.

1958 — The Supreme Court rejects Little Rock’s delay in Cooper v. Aaron

On September 12, 1958, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Cooper v. Aaron that Little Rock could not postpone school desegregation because of white resistance and that state officials were bound by Brown v. Board of Education. Governor Faubus responded by closing the city’s high schools for a year rather than integrate.

1966 — White mobs attack Black children in Grenada, Mississippi

On September 12, 1966, white mobs armed with pipes, chains, and ax handles attacked Black children as young as six who were desegregating the public schools of Grenada, Mississippi, beating students and parents while officers stood by. The nationally reported violence exposed how brutal the resistance to school integration remained twelve years after Brown.

1974 — Boston’s busing crisis begins

On September 12, 1974, court-ordered busing to desegregate Boston’s public schools began, and white mobs stoned buses carrying Black children to South Boston High. The violence that followed for months showed the nation that fierce resistance to integration was not confined to the South.

1977 — Steve Biko is killed in South African police custody

On September 12, 1977, Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko died of massive head injuries inflicted by South African security police. His killing galvanized the international anti-apartheid movement, including the American divestment campaigns in which Black students, churches, and organizations like TransAfrica led the way.

1992 — Mae Jemison becomes the first Black woman in space

On September 12, 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison launched aboard space shuttle Endeavour as a science mission specialist. The physician, engineer, and dancer became the first Black woman in space, carrying with her a photo of aviator Bessie Coleman.