Notable events in African-American history

By miley

  • Fugitive Slave Act

    The Fugitive Slave Act was passed that allowed white people to get back escaped slaves.

  • 15th Amendment

    Prohibits government from denying the right to vote based on skin color or previous slavery.

  • Uncle Tom's Cabin published

    Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery novel published.

  • Dred Scott Decision

    Supreme Court ruled that African-Americans were not citizens, thus not protected by the Constitution. Scott, who had lived free after slavery, sued for his freedom. The court eventually ruled that because he technically was not a citizen, he could not bring his case before the courts.

  • Emancipation Proclamation issued

    Issued by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, freeing black slaves in Southern states.

  • 1st Black woman recieves M.D.

    Rebecca Lee becomes the first African-American woman to receive an M.D. degree.

  • 14th Amendment

    The 14th Amendment is ratified, overruling Dred Scott, and providing a broad definition of citizenship.

  • Plessy v. Ferguson

    Supreme Court rules that "separate but equal" educational facilities are constitutional.

  • NAACP founded

    The National Association for the Advancement of Colored people is founded.

  • Jackie Robinson in Major Leagues

    Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American in the major leagues as he makes his debut.

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Supreme Court overturns Plessy v. Ferguson and rules the doctrine of "Separate but equal" unconstitutional.

  • Rosa Parks refuses to give up seat

    Rosa parks refused to give up her seat on a public bus, on which African-Americans were supposed to sit in the back.

  • SCLC founded

    The Southern Christian Leaders Conference was founded, an American civil rights organization.

  • Civil Rights Act passed

    The Civil Rights Act of 1964, introduced by John F. Kennedy, was passed.

  • MLK wins Nobel Peace Prize

    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

  • Marshall becomes 1st African-American SC justice

    Thurgood Marshall becomes the first African-American appointed to the Supreme Court.

  • Colin Powell, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Colin Powell was appointed the first African-American Joint Chiefs of Staff.

  • Barack Obama elected president

    Barak Obama becomes the first African-American elected president of the United States.