The Federal Bureau of Narcotics relentlessly pursued Holiday, the chase largely fueled by commissioner Harry Anslinger's biases.

From the origins of his name to how he played his final pro game for both teams, here are some facts about the Brazilian soccer star.

The first Black U.S. congresswoman and major-party presidential candidate knew how to shake up the status quo with her pointed words.

The celebrated author vividly wrote and pinpointed the atrocities racial inequality inflicted on Black Americans, both in fiction and nonfiction.

The first lady and activist came from drastically different backgrounds but bonded over their mutual belief in the power of education and desire to champion civil rights causes.

These African American leaders left a lasting mark with their contributions in music, art, literature and so much more.

What started off as a hashtag on a Facebook post has become a national rallying cry for equality.

The daughter of formerly enslaved people, Bethune went on to become an influential figure in education and the highest-ranking Black woman in the U.S. government.

The self-made scholar promoted "Negro History Week" as part of efforts to embed Black studies into the American education system.

The engineer tuned toy inventor gamed up the idea for the water gun while preparing for a NASA mission.

The African American doctor had to think on his toes during the 1893 operation.

Banneker had some choice words about Jefferson's beliefs and actions in a polite but stern 1791 letter.

The Alabama teenager didn’t budge when she was told to vacate her seat for a white woman and joined a lawsuit that brought an end to her city's segregated bus laws, but she received little recognition at the time for her efforts.

From Aretha Franklin and the Beach Boys to Beyoncé, these legendary performers dazzled the crowds at the dawn of new presidential terms.

As the first Black American woman to run for U.S. president through a major party, the seven-term Congresswoman shook up the 1972 campaign.

The vice president, primarily raised by her Indian mother, was taught to embrace her diverse heritage, creating values that paved the way for the boundary-breaking politician.

The civil rights leaders had great respect and admiration for each other, but they clashed on some of their core beliefs.

The 1961 Kennedy soiree, filled with Hollywood elite like Frank Sinatra, mirrored the racial tensions that plagued the nation.

Instead of throwing a big party to celebrate Muhammad Ali's 1964 win over Sonny Lison, Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown quietly met to celebrate the victory.

Born premature and plagued with illnesses throughout her childhood, the groundbreaking athlete went on to defy all the odds and bring home three Olympic golds.

Tragedy brought the widows of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X together, with the friendship cemented by their own sense of activism.

From the origins of her name to her friendship with Beau Biden, here are some interesting facts about the vice president.

From conquering a childhood stutter to his favorite movie, here are some interesting facts about the 46th president.

The "Mother of Blues" takes center stage in August Wilson's tale about the African American experience in 1927.