This Day in Black History: March 26, 1937

William Hastie is confirmed as judge of the Federal District Court in the Virgin Islands.
By Britt Middleton
Posted: 03/26/2012 07:00 AM EDT
Filed Under Tracee Ellis Ross, court, This Day in Black History, National News, Diana Ross

William Hastie was confirmed as judge of the District Court of the Virgin Islands on this day in 1937. He would be the first Black person to serve on the federal bench in the U.S. or its territories. Hastie held the position for two years before returning to Howard University’s School of Law as dean and professor.

Additionally, on this day in 1944, legendary singer and actress Diana Ross was born in Detroit, MI. She attained international fame as the lead singer of 1960s girl group the Supremes and topped the charts with hits such as "Baby Love," "Where Did Our Love Go?" and "Stop! In the Name of Love," among many others. She has also appeared in films, including Lady Sings the Blues (1972) and The Wiz (1978), and is the mother of Tracee Ellis Ross, actress and star of BET Networks' Reed Between the Lines.

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(Photo: Still Picture Records Section, Special Media Archives Services Division
 via Wikicommons)

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