By accessing/using The Crittenden Automotive Library/CarsAndRacingStuff.com, you signify your agreement with the Terms of Use on our Legal Information page. Our Privacy Policy is also available there.

On This Day in Automotive History: March 7

On This Day in Automotive History
March 7

Return to the "On This Day..." calendar

March 6 « Go to » March 8

Birthdays: Robert Drach (1877), Rene Thomas (1886), Joe Garson (1908), Frank Ropp (1925), Lee Banner (1929), E.J. Brewer (1929), Bill Massey (1929), Herb Trimble (1930), Janet Guthrie (1938), Wally Lambert (1939), Dave Master (1945), Walter Rohrl (1947), David Jude (1950), Alec Pinsonneault (1952), Jeep Pflum (1953), Bill Tyler (1954), Bryan Cranston (1956), John McCracken (1961), Wanda Sykes (1964), Dennis LaForce (1969), Hideki Noda (1969), Peter MacLeod (1970), Dan Schlieper (1971), Shannon Conner (1972), Jason Bright (1973), Roger Bromiley (1974), Josh Vadnais (1977), Jeff Babcock (1980), Paul Newcomb Jr. (1981), Brendan Moodie (1985), Terry Fisher, Jr. (1986), Amber Balcaen (1992), Jay Beasley (1992), Ryo Hirakawa (1994)

1975: In a White House ceremony conducted by President Gerald Ford, William T. Coleman Jr., becomes the first African-American to serve as Secretary of Transportation. The oath of office is administered by Coleman's friend and colleague, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. President Ford tells the guests that the new Secretary has a mandate to help save energy, develop mass transportation, strengthen the railroads, and ensure an equitable and stern enforcement of the 55 m.p.h. speed limit brought on by oil shortages. For FHWA, his tenure would be marked by direct involvement in settling highway controversies.