Patrick F. Healy was inaugurated as president of Georgetown University on this date in Washington, D.C. Healy was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. and was the first to become president of a predominantly white university.

Charles Clinton Spaulding was born on this date in Columbus County, North Carolina. Spaulding is one of the founders of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. It was the first Black-owned insurance companies in the the United States.

Mary Eliza Mahoney graduated from New England Hospital for Women and Children on this date. She became the first Black professional nurse in the United States.

Reverend James Theodore Holly becomes the first African American bishop of the Episcopal church when he is consecrated a missionary bishop of Haiti in New York City.