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Born
She was born in Chicago Illinois to Albert Millard Dunham and Fanny June Dunham. -
Her short story is published
At age 12, he short story, "Come Back to Arizona", is published into volume 2 of "The Brownies' Book" (edited by W.E.B. Du Bois). -
Joins Terpsichorean Club
In high school, she joined a Terpsichorean Club and leans a free-style modern dance (based on works of Jaques-Dalcroze and Rudolf von Laban). -
Organizes a cabaret party
She organized a cabaet party to raise money for her church. She produced, directed, and starred in this cabaret. -
Dunham starts dancing with Ludmilla Speranzeva
Speranzeva was one of the first ballet teachers to accept a black student but she saw Dunham's potential and she introduces Dunham to several Spanish dancers and dancers that introduce her to dance forms such as East Indian, Javanese, and Balinese. -
Dunham forms her own dance company
Ballet Negre is opened which happens to be one of the first negro ballet companies in America. -
Debut performance of Ballet Negre. Company breaks up.
Althought the first performance was well recieved, nothing else came after this and the company broke up. -
Speranzeva advises Dunham to abandon ballet
After asking for her adivce to opening up a new studio, Speranzeva advises Dunham to start her own, new, modern style of dance. -
Starts the Chicago Negro School of Ballet
She restarts the old Ballet Negre group, and they preform at the Chicago World's Fair. -
Performed in Ruth Page's ballet, La Guiablese (The Devil Woman)
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Dunham recieves Ph.B.
Dunham recieves a bachelor of philosophy from the University of Chicago for social anthropology. -
Dunham choreographs "Fantasie Negre"
What makes this show even more special to Dunham, is that it was composed by Florence B. Price, the first African-American female to compose a symphony. -
Choreographs and produces her own full-length ballet
Named "L'Ag'Ya", preformed at the Federal Theater in Chicago. -
Dunham begins film career & begins work on broadway
Dunham begins her film career with "Carnival of Rhythm" (produced by Warner Brothers), and satrts her broadway career with "Pins and Needles". -
Dunham performs in "Acaraje"
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Appears in "Stormy Weather"
Dunham and her company perform in "Stormy Weather", a Twentieth Century Fox production. -
Dunham addresses segregation issue
Dunham speaks to an all white audience at Memorial Auditorium in Louisville Kentucky, speaking out against segregation. -
The Dunham School advancements
"The Dunham School" is changed to "Katherine Dunham School of Arts and Research", and offers studies in dance and theater, cultural studies, and Caribbean research. -
Her first book is published
Her first book is published, "Journey to Accompong", about her trip to Jamaica and her experiences with the Maroon people. -
Production of "Mambo"
"Mambo" is an Italian-American film and shows the Dunham dancers taking part in the Dunham technique -
Establishes medical clinic in Haiti
After spending much time in Haiti, Dunham opens a medical clinic there. -
Recognition all over the world!
Dunham is named a grand officer of the Haitian Légion d'Honneur et Merite, recieves the Professional Achievement Award from the University of Chicago Alumni Association, named honoree on the President's Council on Youth Opportunity in Washington, D.C., and recieves a Dance Magazine Award. -
Recieves an award for culture
Dance Division Heritage Award from the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. -
Dunham recieves Albert Schweitzer Music Award
She recieves the Albert Schweitzer Music Award "for her contributions to the performing arts and her dedication to humanitarian work." The award was given to her at her own gala ("A Katherine Dunham Gala") at Carnegie Hall in New York. -
"The Dunham Technique"
The "Dunham Technique" is finalized amd is taught in seminars by Dunham herself and other members of her company. -
Dunham named a founder of dance in America
Dunham is honored as a Founder of Dance in America at The National Museam of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York. -
Awarded the President's Award of the National Council for Culture and Art
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Katherine is named "America's Irreplaceable Dance Treasures"
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Honorary doctorate of fine arts from Harvard
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Katherine Dunham passes away
