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The transatlantic slave trade, began in 1619 with the arrival of the first enslaved Africans at Old Point Comfort, Virginia. -
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The declaration of Independence was signed, creating the United States of America -
President Abraham Lincoln (16th) signs the Emancipation Proclamation during the U.S. Civil War. The Proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." -
After the Civil War, the United States entered a time called Reconstruction. During this time, new laws were created that helped formerly enslaved African Americans gain freedoms. Many African Americans were able to build their own communities, go to school, start churches, and for the first time, many Black men could vote and become leaders in the government.
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On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. -
Formally enslaved people were building Black communities, gaining rights through the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendment along with the Civil Rights Act of 1866. During this time the first Black man, Hiram Revels, joins the Senate and helps make laws. -
After the time of Reconstruction, some states created unfair rules called Jim Crow laws. These laws were designed to treat African Americans unfairly and limit their rights. These rules made life harder for Black people, and segregated people based on the color of their skin and heritage.
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Jim Crow laws begin with this court case, arguing in a "separate but equal" doctrine. Was it really equal? -
Brown v. Board of Education was a court case that challenged school segregation based on race, arguing it violated the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court ruled that separating children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional. -
At six years old, Ruby Bridges became the first Black student to integrate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans, LA. -
