Black history & heritage

2016

San Diego’s BLM chapter forms

San Diego’s Black Lives Matter chapter formed in the wake of a local flashpoint — the death of Alfred Olango. The 38-year-old Ugandan refugee was shot and killed by El Cajon police officers on Sept. 27, 2016. The officers were responding to a call for psychiatric aid. Olango held an object, which turned out to be a vape pen, in his hands and took a shooting stance before officers fired.

For more information on Black history in San Diego and to participate in Celebrate San Diego: Black History & Heritage at the San Diego History Center, go to sandiegohistory.org/exhibition/celebratesd_blackhistoryheritage.

In honor of Black History Month, the Union-tribune has partnered with the San Diego History Center to present items each day in February on local Black history.

On Feb. 28, nationally

1859 – Arkansas legislature required free Black people to choose between exile and enslavement.

1932 – Richard Spikes invented and patented the automatic gear shift.

U-T FILE A Black Lives Matter flag in front of the County Administration Building.