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First Slaves Arrive
The first African slaves arrive in colonial America, specifically Virginia, to be sold as slaves in 1619. -
First Published African American Writer
Phillis Wheatley's book Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral is published, making her the first African American to do so. -
Northwest Tertory makes Slavery Illegal
Slavery is made illegal in the Northwest Territory. The U.S Constitution states that Congress may not ban the slave trade until 1808. -
Congress bans the importation of slaves from Africa.
Congress bans the importation of slaves from Africa but not the actual practice of slavery. -
The Missouri Compromise bans slavery north of the southern boundary of Missouri.
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 bans slavery north of the southern boundary of Missouri. -
Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin is published.
Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin is published. It becomes one of the most influential works to stir anti-slavery sentiments -
The Dred Scott case holds that Congress does not have the right to ban slavery in states
The Dred Scott case holds that Congress does not have the right to ban slavery in states and, furthermore, that slaves are not citizens. -
The Confederacy is founded when the deep South secedes.
The Confederacy is founded when the deep South secedes, -
Civil War Begins
The civil war begins marking the largest loss of american life of any war ever fought. -
Emancipation Proclimation
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring "that all persons held as slaves" within the Confederate states "are, and henceforward shall be free." -
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Black Codes
Black codes are passed by Southern states, drastically restricting the rights of newly freed slaves. -
14th Amendment
Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, defining citizenship. Individuals born or naturalized in the United States are American citizens, including those born as slaves. -
15th Amendment
Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, giving blacks the right to vote. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Plessy v. Ferguson: This landmark Supreme Court decision holds that racial segregation is constitutional, paving the way for the repressive Jim Crow laws in the South. -
Brown v. Board
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans. declares that racial segregation in schools is unconstitutional -
MLK's Dream Speech
The March on Washington is attended by about 250,000 people, the largest demonstration ever seen in the nation's capital. Martin Luther King delivers his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. -
LA Riots
The first race riots in decades erupt in south-central Los Angeles after a jury acquits four white police officers for the videotaped beating of African-American Rodney King -
Obama Elected
Barack Obama, becomes the first African American to be elected president of the United States. -
