On July 10, the area entered the history books when the mercury climbed to a blistering 134 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius) at Furnace Creek, California, breaking the record for the highest temperature ever recorded.
Carl Stokes, the first black mayor of a major American city: Black History Month. View full sizePlain Dealer file photoCarl Stokes, shown in 1968 in downtown Cleveland, focused many of his efforts as mayor on improving city services and helping Cleveland's poorest residents.
Thursdayâs vote of 56-43 makes Lynch the first African-American woman to hold the position. She will succeed current AG Eric Holder, who is the first African-American to serve in the role. President Barack Obama, the countryâs first African-American president, nominated both Lynch and Holder.