The night succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. The Black and White Ball, held exactly 50 years ago, on Nov. 28, 1966, became the most famous party of the 20th century.

As Detroit civil rights leaders in the 1960s deliberated how to harness white support for the movement, they struck upon an innovation that would strengthen the fight for civil rights across the U.S.

As Detroit civil rights leaders in the 1960s deliberated how to harness white support for the movement, they struck upon an innovation that would strengthen the fight for civil rights across the US.