Bassett Day is an honorable day recognized by the town of New Britain in memory of Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett. Bassett was born on October 16, 1833. This is the reason we celebrate Bassett Day in October. This will be the 3rd annual celebration for Bassett Day on Central's campus. Bassett was the first African American to attend and graduate from State Normal School (now known as Central Connecticut State University) in 1853. He was a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement and he advocated for the right of black men to fight in the Civil War. He worked closely with Frederick Douglass. In 1869, he was the first African American appointed as a United States Diplomatic Minister/Ambassador in Haiti. Bassett was the first for many great achievements that paved the way for the African American community and we pay homage to him on Bassett Day.