July 21, 1957 – A milestone moment in sports history. A young lady by the name of Althea Gibson became the African-American to win a major US tennis tournament. Miss Gibson opened the door and inspired many black athletes to compete at sports that had in the past not been available for them to participate in.
In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title when she took home the French Championships. The following year she won both Wimbledon and this US Nationals (precursor of the US Open). It wasn’t a fluke either as she repeated and won them both again in 1958 and was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
History of NBA Team Nicknames: Pacific Division
I love the history of sports team nicknames. Today I am sharing some of
Why is Ralph Hay Considered the Founder of the NFL?
In this episode, we fire up the DeLorean and head back to explore the
The Best Soccer Goalkeepers of the 2000s
The 2000s had a special charm to them. Soccer was becoming a worldwide phenomenon
How Sports Gambling Evolved from Ancient Dice Games to the Digital Age
Wagering on sports has not been happening only nowadays, but it is a thread
Kylian Mbappe’s Rise from Young Gun to Goal Machine
Former Manchester City and French midfielder Samir Nasri was recently very quick to put
120,000 Fans Witness High School Football Game in 1937!!!
Let’s set the stage… It was a warm November afternoon on the Chicago lakefront,
Legendary Athletes From the Aloha State: Highlighting Hawaii’s Sporting Greats
Hawaii, known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is also a breeding
1974 Miami Dolphins: Chasing Super Bowl Greatness
After appearing in three straight Super Bowls and winning two, the 1974 Miami Dolphins