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1619: Arrival of First African Slaves
The first African slaves arrived in Jamestown, Virginia which marked the beginning of a long history of slavery, constructing the foundation of racial inequality and oppression. -
Rise of the Cotton Industry
In the years following the Revolutionary war, the rural South, where slavery was at it's peak, faced an economic crisis. A young Eli Whitney came up with the cotton gin, which soon revolutionized the industry, leading to an increased demand for enslaved Africans. -
Abolitionism and the Underground Railroad
The abolition movement was fueled by enslaved people who wanted to liberate themselves and opposed slavery. Antislavery Northerners began helping enslaved people escape from southern plantations through a network of safe houses known as the Underground Railroads. -
Civil War and Emancipation
By the summer of 1862, in the heat of the Civil war, Lincoln decided he was unable to avoid the slavery question any longer and on January 1st, 1863, Lincoln issued a preliminary emancipation proclamation that made it official that enslaved people shall be "forever free." -
End of Civil War : The Post-Slavery South
This is known as the reconstruction era. Slavery being abolished brought forth major challenges for the newly freed individuals seeing as many still faced racism and restrictions within their lives and careers. During the reconstruction era, the 14th Amendment was brought onto freed slaves which granted them "equal protection" and later on in 1870, the 15th Amendment was adopted, granting people of color the right to vote. -
"Separate But Equal"
The "Jim Crow Laws" a set of segregation laws were enacted, requiring separate schools, hotels, theaters, restaurants, etc. for white people and black people. -
The Birth of The NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was an organization founded in 1909 dedicated to abolishing all forced segregation, the enforcement of the 14th and 15th Amendments, and equal education to be provided for Black and white students. -
Harlem Renaissance
Taking its name from a New York City neighborhood, the Harlem Renaissance also known as the Black Renaissance was the movement that marked the beginning of mainstream publishers paying attention to African American literature, music, politics, and art. -
WWII
During World War II, more than 3 million Black people would register to service for America in the war, but even when excepted, white soldiers and Black soldiers were organized into separate units. During the war, many celebrated Black individuals emerged such as Dorie Miller, an African American woman who emerged from the attack on Pearl Harbor for the bravery she showed. On July 28th, President Truman mandated that "There shall be equality of treatment...without regard to race." -
Brown v. Board of Education
The verdict in Brown v. Board of Education ruled unanimously that racial segregation violated the 14th Amendment. Chief Justice Earl Warren famously announced, "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." -
Rosa Parks
An African American named Rosa Parks was riding in a bus when the driver demanded se rose from her seat to give it to a white man. Rosa Parks refused and was arrested for violating the segregation laws that stated Black passengers were required to sit at the back of the bus and give up their seats to white people. -
"I Have a Dream"
The famous words spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. on August 28th, 1963, where a number of civil rights leaders gathered with about 250,000 people of all colors, to address the topics of voting rights, and equal opportunities for Black people. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about his speech, "I Have a Dream" which referred to his idea of white and Black people standing together in harmony. -
Barack Obama Becomes 44th U.S President
January 20th, 2009, the first Black president was inaugurated as the 44th president of the U.S. Barack Obama served his 4 years and then another 4 after being reelected in 2012. -
Black Lives Matter
The Black Lives Matter Movement was a major movement that shed light on the unfair murders of Black people from police officers which created outrage throughout the country. The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter first appeared on July 13th, 2013 and carried on to 2021 following the unjust murders of Black civilians. -
George Floyd Protests
Following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a while police officer, Derek Chauvin, on May 25th, 2020, protesters swarmed the streets protesting for the lives lost at the hands of white police officers including George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Police cars were set on fire, and protests grew larger and larger throughout the country, both peaceful and nonpeaceful. -
First Woman and First Black Vice President
January 2021, Kamala Harris became the first Black woman to become vice president along with now President Joe Biden. This was a major accomplishment not only for people of color but for women as well seeing as this was an incredible feat.