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Slavery comes to North America
20-30 enslaved Africans landed at Point Comfort, today's Fort Monroe in Hampton, Va., aboard the English privateer ship White Lion. In Virginia, these Africans were traded in exchange for supplies. -
'Separate But Equal,' 1896
Plessy v. Ferguson legitimizes state laws reestablishing racial segregation in Southern states. 1900. A majority of Southern states passed laws that required African Americans to be separated from white citizens in railroad cars and depots, hotels, theaters, restaurants, barber shops, and other establishments. -
The Atlanta race riot
In September 1906 a riot broke out in Atlanta, in response to unfounded allegations published in the city's newspapers that a group of black men had been assaulting white women. Thousands of whites roamed the streets damaging black businesses, assaulting and severely beating African-Americans. -
The Harlem Riot
A riot that occurred in the Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem. It was precipitated by a teenager’s theft of a penknife from a store and was fueled by economic hardship, racial injustice, and community mistrust of the police. It is sometimes considered the first modern American race riot. -
African Americans Threaten March on Washington
A. Philip Randolph, a prominent labor leader, called for a March on Washington to protest racial discrimination in defense industries and the military during World War II. The threat of a mass march led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802, which banned discrimination in defense industries and established the Fair Employment Practices Commission -
CORE and Freedom Rides
It was a series of interstate bus rides designed to desegregate public transportation and bus terminals in the South. Involved an interracial group of 13 activists traveling from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans, challenging the segregation laws in place at the time. -
“I Have a Dream”
He articulated a vision of a racially just and equitable America. He stressed the need for African Americans to receive the same rights and freedoms promised to them a century prior. He had called for a non-violent-resistance and a collective fight against racism, wanting everyone in America to leave peacefully. -
Civil Rights Act
It was a landmark law that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. -
Rise of Black Power
t marked a shift from the nonviolent, integrationist approach of the civil rights movement to a more militant, self-determination-focused stance. It was signaled a new direction for a new movement, emphasizing racial pride, self-sufficiency, and the dismantling of white power stuctures. -
Fair Housing Act
Was a title in the Civil Rights Act known as Title VIII. It prohibited discrimination in housing based in color, race, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. The Act makes it illegal to discriminate in the sale, rental, and financing. -
Shirley Chisholm Runs for President
U.S Rep Shirley Chrisholm announces entry to run as U.S President, First major African American Party, As well as first female candidate. -
Jesse Jackson Galvanizes Black Voters
Jesse Jackson was a leading voice for Black Americans during the 1980s. He urged African Americans to be more politically active and ensured African American issues had an important role in the party's platform. -
Civil Rights Restoration Act
Congress passed the civil rights restoration act which expanded the reach of non-discrimination laws within the private institutions recieving federal funds. -
Rodney King was beat by LAPD
In 1991 Rodney King was severely beaten by LAPD. Caught on videotape the beating inspired widespread outrage within the city's African American community who had long condemned the racial profiling and abuse its members suffered at the hands of the police force. -
L.A Riots
In April 1992 the officers were deemed not guilty towards this act. This sparked a 4 day riot, Many demanded that the unpopular L.A. police chief, Daryl Gates, be fired and that the four officers be brought to justice for their use of excessive force. -
Million Man March
Hundreds of thousands black men gathered in Washington D.C. Minister Louis Farrakhan, had called for “a million sober, disciplined, committed, dedicated, inspired Black men to meet in Washington on a day of atonement.” The March was intended to bring about a kind of spiritual renewal among Black men and instill in them a sense of solidarity of personal responsibility to improve their own condition, its success spurred the organization of a Million Women March. -
Collin Powell becomes Secretary of State
The first African American the position as Secretary, playing an integral role in planning and executing the first Persian Gulf War Under President H.W. Bush. Becoming a prominent fixture in the Republican Party. -
Barack Obama Runs for President
Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected as President of the United States, defeating republican candidate Senator John McCain. -
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#BlackLivesMatter Movement
On February 26, 2012 , a Florida man shot and killed unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Martins death sparked nationwide protests seeking to “eradicate white supremacy and build local power". The hashtag was created to bring awareness to cases such as these. It gained awareness once again in 2016 when Football Player Eric Reid, Eli Harlod, and Colin Kaepernick kneeled during the national anthem to draw attention to recent acts of police brutality. -
#BlackLivesMatter Graph
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George Floyd Protests
46 year old George Floyd was killed after being handcuffed and pinned down to the ground for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 dollar bill at the deli. The officer kneeled on Floyds neck for 8 minutes which led to his death and provoked a public outcry against police brutality, excessive force, and the denial of civil rights. -
Kamala Harris becomes Vice President
First female Vice President, First Black and South Asian American to hold the position. The daughter of immigrants (Indian Mother, Jamaican Father). First Black female attorney general of California and Second Black Woman to serve the U.S. senate.