This Day in History: 0000-07-05
July 4, 1930 – “Elijah Muhammad Forms Nation of Islam in Detroit” Elijah Muhammad formed the Nation of Islam in Detroit, Michigan, beginning what became an introduction to many African-Americans to the Islamic faith. The organization is famous for its role in organizing the black community in urban centers around America. It also
is where Malcolm X began his career as a freedom fighter and religious leader. The Nation of Islam has been a source of protection, organization, refuge and resistance since its founding.
November 23, 2002 - "First Native American Travels to Space"
John Herrington, a registered member of the Chickasaw Nation, was the first Native American to travel into space as the mission specialist for STS-113, the 16th mission to the International Space Station. During his mission, Herrington performed three spacewalks that totaled 19 hours and 55 minutes. The length of his mission was 13 days, 18 hours and 47 minutes. Herrington was inducted to the Chickasaw Hall of Fame the same year he went into space. William Pogue, a crewman aboard Skylab 4 in 1973-1974, had Choctaw ancestry, but was not an enrolled member of the Choctaw.