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Significance: Marks the begginning of African presence and forced enslavement in what would become the united states.
Key Individuals: Enslaved Africans, English Colonists
Reference: "https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/august-20/first-african-slave-ship-arrives-jamestown-colony" -
Significance: President abraham Lincoln declared freedom for enslaved people within the "rebellious states"
Key Individuals: Abraham Lincoln, Enslaved African Americans
References: https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation#:~:text=Most%20important%2C%20the%20freedom%20it,the%20character%20of%20the%20war. -
Significance: Officially ended slavery throughout the United States
Key Individuals: U.S. Congress, formely enslaved African American
References: https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/constitutional-amendments-amendment-13-abolition-slavery#:~:text=Amendment%20Thirteen%20to%20the%20Constitution,except%20as%20a%20criminal%20punishment. -
Significance: Established the "seperate but equal" principle
Key Individuals: Homer Plessy, U.S. Supreme Court
References: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/plessy-v-ferguson -
Significance: Declared racial seperation in public schools was unconstitutional. This was a major victory for civil rights
Key Individuals: Oliver Brown, NAACP, U.S. Supreme Court
Reference: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/brown-v-board-of-education -
Significance: Prohibited discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national orgin
Key Individuals: President Lyndon Johnson, Civil Rights Activists
References: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/civil-rights-act#:~:text=This%20act%2C%20signed%20into%20law%20by%20President,most%20sweeping%20civil%20rights%20legislation%20since%20Reconstruction. -
Significance: Prohibited racial discrimination in voting, allowing greater political participation
Key Individuals: Marton Luther King Jr, President Lyndon Johnson, congress
Reference: https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Senate_Passes_Voting_Rights_Act.htm#:~:text=On%20August%204%2C%201965%2C%20the,rights%20activists%20in%20Selma%2C%20Alabama. -
Significance: struck down laws banning interracial marriage
Key Individuals: Richard and Mildred Loving, U.S. Supreme Court
Reference: https://civics.supremecourthistory.org/article/loving-v-virginia/#:~:text=In%20a%20unanimous%20decision%20issued,a%20couple%20a%20marriage%20certificate. -
Significance: First African American President, This symbolizes progress in racial equality
Key Individuals: Barack Obama, American Voters
Reference: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/05/uselections20083#:~:text=Barack%20Obama%20to%20be%20America's,US%20elections%202008%20%7C%20The%20Guardian -
Significance: Nationwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality, sparking renewed civil rights activism
Key Individuals: Black Lives Matter movement, protesters, law enforcement
Reference: https://www.npr.org/2020/12/30/950053607/in-2020-protests-spread-across-the-globe-with-a-similar-message-black-lives-matt