Black Entertainment History Timeline (pg. 2)

Courtesy of Filmation

1967 - Jimi Hendrix makes a spectacular debut at the Monterey International Pop Festival, following the release of his first album, Are You Experienced?

1971 - Beverly Johnson is known as the first black supermodel after gracing the cover of Glamour.

1972 - Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids premieres as the first cartoon with an all-black cast.

1974 - Foxy Brown, starring Pam Grier, perhaps the most famous "blaxploitation" (a film genre staring and targetting African-Americans) film ever, is released.

1977 - Alex Haley's Roots: The Saga of an American Family (1976) is adapted for [KWLINK10667]television[/KWLINK], becoming one of the most popular shows in the history of American television.

1980 - Black Entertainment Television (BET) was launched by Bob Johnson, now owner of the Charlotte Bobcats.

1981 - Bob Marley, the most influential figure in reggae music, dies.

1982 - Michael Jackson creates a sensation with the album Thriller, which becomes one of the most popular albums of all time, selling more than 40 million copies.

1983 - Oprah Winfrey takes over AM Chicago, which is then renamed the Oprah Winfrey show.

1983 - Eddie Murphy releases Delirious, a film of his stand up comedy, and stars in Saturday Night Live.

1984 - The Cosby Show, starring comedian Bill Cosby, becomes one of the most popular situation comedies in television history and is praised for its [KWLINK 7045]cross-cultural appeal and avoidance of racial stereotypes.

1984 - Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin form Def Jam Records and begin shaping the industry of hip hop as we know it.

1993 - Angela Bassett became the first African-American woman to win the best actress Golden Globe Award for her role as Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It?

2001 - Denzel Washington became the only black Academy Award winner to win both lead and supporting actor Oscars after wins for Glory and Training Day.

2002 - Halle Berry becomes the first African-American woman to win the Academy Award for best actress for her role in Monster’s Ball.

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