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.
Photo: Kin Man Hui /San Antonio Express-News. Taylor became the city's first African American mayor when she was appointed interim mayor in 2014. Taylor became the city's first African American mayor when she was appointed interim mayor in 2014.