October 1, 2021
Edson Arantes do Nascimento
On this day in 1977, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele and considered the greatest soccer player ever, retired from the game.
Also on this day
Nigeria, the largest African nation in the world, declared independence from Britain on this first day of the month,1960.
Singer, percussionist Youssou N'Dour born in Dakar, Senegal, 1959. He is one of Africa's most popular singers. He sings in his native Wolof language.
Joe Black became the first black pitcher to win a World Series game on this day in 1952 when he led the Brooklyn Dodgers against the New York Yankees in the 1952 World Series. Black was also the 1952 Rookie of the Year.
On this day in 1945 soul singer Donny Hathaway was born in Chicago. He is best known for hits such as "Where Is the Love?" and "The Closer I Get to You" both recorded with Roberta Flack. He died from an apparent suicide in 1979. He is reportedly the inspiration for Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly".
On this day in 1940, Dr. Charles Drew was appointed medical director of the Plasma Project of Great Britain. He had years before developed the technics that allowed blood to be stored and therefore available easily for transfusions. He helped build blood banks all over the world, thereby saving millions of lives, especially during World War II.
James Meredith begins his enrollment on this day in 1962 at the University of Mississippi as the first Black student to be admitted. 3000 federal troops were needed to stop the riots to protest his admission.