Bill Pinkney begins a a solo, around-the-world voyage from Charlestown.

(Aug.) The Chicago native and US Navy veteran sails from Boston on his 47-foot cutter Commitment. During his voyage, he maintains contact with thousands of students in Boston, Chicago and other places via radio transmissions and satellite tracking. Pinkney becomes the first African-American sailor to circumnavigate the world when he arrives back at the Charlestown Navy Yard in June 1992.*