Maynard Jackson becomes the first African American Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia.
Congress passes the Equal Education Opportunity Act prohibiting discrimination based on race, color or national origin, and calling school districts to “take action” on language barriers that impede education, making bilingual education more widely available in public schools.
Arthur Ashe becomes the first African American to with the British Men’s Singles at Wimbledon.
William Venoid Banks becomes the first African American to own a television station when he launches WGPR-TV in Detroit.
Texas Congresswoman, Barbara Jordan becomes the first African American woman to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.
“Roots” is aired nationally. The final episode achieves the highest ratings to that point for a single television program.
Hazel Johnson becomes the first African American woman to be promoted to the rank of General in the U.S. Army.