-
Pilgrimage
Puritans who fled England due to religious persecution and came to the Americas in search of a new life. They started the New England colonies, starting with Plymouth. The first day of settlement is what we now celebrate as our annual holiday called Thanksgiving. -
The French and Indian War
This war between the French with the Indians and England ended with the English victorious. The Treaty of Paris was the result, giving land to England. I think this shows how parts of the upper United States have the culture they have, as opposed to being a French-led state or province, like Quebec. -
The Revolutionary War
This also led to the signing of the Treaty of Paris. It recognized the U.S. as an independent nation. However, Spain kept the colony of Florida. This partly leads to the immigration of Spanish speakers that we see present in Florida today. -
The Bill of Rights
Congress passes new set of rights for the new United States. This is significant because we refer back to these rights and the Constitution to justify and extol treatments towards certain ethnic groups. -
The Institute for Colored Youth
This was the first opportunity and center for African Americans to receive a higher education.Today, it is called Cheyney University. -
Roberts v. City of Boston
During this case, the Supreme Court decided that Boston can deny African Americans from attending schools designated for the whites. This is a huge moment in sparking much of the civil rights movement. -
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln became president and instantly fought for the slaves. African Americans had been enslaved for years prior and now they had someone fighting to set them free. Without Abraham Lincoln, the future of this ethnic group would look completely different. -
The Civil Rights Act
Segregated schools are finally banned. Schools still experience tons of persecution, but they are intermingled. This passing is a huge leap forward for the African American community (and others) to build an identity of their own. -
Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination
After the Civil Rights Act is passed as a law to end all discrimination, the face of their movement is killed. This not only devastated those who supported King's message, but it invigorated many. This is additional pain to the persecution already experienced by a number of minorities. -
The World Trade Center Falls
Two planes were overtaken by terrorists and flown into the World Trade Center in New York. This red flagged many people of Middle Eastern descent, creating tension within our own borders in ways unlike ever before for the Arab community.
