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First African Slaves in Virginia
The first African American Slaves arive in Virginia. -
Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise bans Slavery north of the southern boundary of Missouri. -
Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was introduced by Democratic representative David Wilmot of Pennsylvania, attempts to ban slavery in territory gained in the Mexican War. The proviso is blocked by Southerners, but continues to enflame the debate over slavery. -
Harriet Tubman
She eccaped from slavery and becomes one of the most effective and celebrated leaders of the Underground Railroad -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, gets published and it becomes one of the most influential works to stir anti-slavery sentiments. -
Dred Scott Case
The Dred Scott Case hold that congress does not have the right to ban slavery in states and, furthermore, that slaves are not citizens. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring "that all persons held as slaves" within the Confederate states "are, and henceforward shall be free." -
Fifteenth Ammendment
Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, giving blacks the right to vote.
Hiram Revels of Mississippi is elected the country's first African-American senator. During Reconstruction, sixteen blacks served in Congress and about 600 served in states legislatures. -
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson breaks Major League Baseball's color barrier when he is signed to the Brooklyn Dodgers by Branch Rickey. -
Barack Obama
Sen. Barack Obama, Democrat from Chicago, becomes the first African American to be nominated as a major party nominee for president. On November 4, Barack Obama, becomes the first African American to be elected president of the United States, defeating Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain.
