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first slaves
1619 – The first Africans were brought to the Virginia colony of Jamestown by a Dutch sea captain and sold as indentured servants. This marks the beginning of African presence in the English colonies. -
Virginia slave codes
The Virginia slave codes were enacted, declaring that foreign-born non-Christians could be enslaved, and that enslaved individuals would be considered property. This legal framework set the foundation for institutionalized slavery. -
banned importation of slaves
The U.S. officially banned the importation of enslaved Africans, but the domestic slave trade within the United States flourished, with enslaved people being sold across state lines. -
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Civil War
The issue of slavery divided the nation, with the Southern economy relying heavily on slave labor, especially for crops like cotton and tobacco, while the North did not. The war ultimately led to the end of slavery. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln issued this proclamation, declaring that all enslaved people in Confederate states were to be freed. This was a turning point in the fight to abolish slavery. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the United States, except as punishment for a crime. -
Civil Rights Act
Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement and African Americans' fight for equality. -
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, especially in the South where discriminatory practices like literacy tests and poll taxes had disenfranchised Black voters. -
Barack Obama elected
He was elected as the first African American president of the United States, marking a historic milestone in racial progress. Despite his mixed heritage, his presidency was significant for African Americans and for the broader political landscape. -
National Urban League’s Equality Index
The National Urban League’s Equality Index reported that Black people in the U.S. had made some progress in equality but still faced significant disparities in areas like unemployment, education, and health. The report highlighted that while progress had been made, inequalities persisted.