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The Segregation Era Began
The Segregation Era began more than 28 years before Maya Angelou was born, and was often a topic that she wrote about. She would go on to say "In so many ways, segregation shaped me, and education liberated me." -
NAACP was Founded
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a civil rights and racial justice group. Angelou would later receive numerous awards for her literary work. -
The Beginning of the Harlem Renaissance and Jazz Age
The Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz Age were artistic and cultural periods among African Americans spanning between the 1920's and 1930's. This would later fuel Angelo's involvement with the Black Arts Movement. -
19th Amendment Ratified
The 19th Amendment was ratified in August 1920 granting American women the right to vote. However, African American women still faced racial discrimination due to southern state laws. -
Maya Angelou was Born
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Ann Johnson to Bailey and Vivian Baxter Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri. -
The Great Depression Began
The Great Depression began a year after Angelou was born. The worldwide economic collapse created negative affects for all social classes. However, in I Know How a Caged Bird Sings, Angelou's discusses how her grandmother's business survived the economic crash. -
Angelou Moved to Stamps, Arkansas
At just three years old, Maya and her brother, Bailey Jr. were sent to live with her paternal grandmother, Annie Henderson in Stamps, Arkansas in Lafayette County. -
Angelou Became a San Fransico Streetcar Conductor
Although there are some misperceptions about whether or not she was the first Black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco, Angelou was undoubtedly one of the first. -
Angelou Travels Europe Performing Porgy and Bess
Angelou began performing George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess with a traveling group sponsored by the State Department. She later writes about her experience in Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas. -
The Civil Rights Movement Began
The Civil Rights Movement was a political movement that advocated for the justice and equality of African Americans. Angelou would become a prominent activist in this movement. -
Angelou Joins the Harlem Writers Guild
After moving to New York, Angelou joined the Harlem Writers Guild. This began the friendship between her and James Baldwin, among other prominent African American authors. -
Angelou Becomes an Editor for The Arab Observer in Cairo, Egypt
Angelou moved to Cairo, Egypt after marrying activist Vusumizi Make. She later became an editor for the English language publication, The Arab Observer. -
Angelou Begins Teaching at University of Ghana
Angelou moved to Ghana with her son Guy and began teaching at the University of Ghana's School of Music and Drama. -
The Black Arts Movement Began
Politically and culturally motivated Black artists emerged with revolutionary poetry, art, theater, novels, films, and short stories. After the assassination of Malcolm X, Angelou became directly involved. -
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is Published
Most of this book was about Angelou's early life and recounts her time spent in Stamps, Arkansas. It quickly became a New York Times best seller, remaining on the list for two years. -
Angelou inducted in the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame
In 1993, Angelou became one of the first inductees into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. -
Angelou Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Obama honored Angelou for her political and literary work with the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. -
The Death of Maya Angelou
Angelou passed away in her Winston-Salem, North Carolina home at 86 years old. -
Maya Angelou Congressional Gold Medal Act Introduced
Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio introduces bill H.R. 3032 to the 116th Congress commemorating Angelou. -
Angelou Became the First Black Woman Depicted on US Quarters
Her coin became the first in the US mint series "The American Women Quarters Program" authorized by Public Law 116-330.