May 19

Malcolm X

Malcolm X, Muslim minister and a civil rights activist was born on May 19, 1925 under the birth name Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska to Rev. Earl Little (a Baptist Minister) and Louise Norton Little. Malcolm X joined the Nation of Islam and became one of it's most important and influential leaders as the National Spokesman.  His skilled and gifted oratory aided in his rise to become one of the top African American leaders of the mid twentieth century.  Malcolm X disassociated himself with the Nation of Islam in the early 1960's, turned against racism and founded Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro American Unity.  Malcolm X was assassinated  on February 21, 1965 in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom.  He was shot 15 times and pronounced dead when he arrived at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.  He and his wife Betty Shabazz had four daughters and she was expecting when he died, she gave birth later that year to twin daughters. Malcolm X was allegedly killed by three gunmen who were members of the Nation of Islam.   Two of the gunman charged, Muhammad Aziz (at age 84) and Khalil Islam (who died in 2009) were exonerated in 2021 of the shootings.  The third man Mujahid Abdul Halim had admitted to the shooting of Malcom X but had said that Aziz and Islam were not involved in the assassination.  New York City settled a lawsuit on behalf of Aziz and Islam for $26 million in 2022 for compensation of their wrongful convictions and spending decades imprisoned.  The state of New York agreed also to pay $10 million. Malcom X Before The Press