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Phillis Wheatley published poetry
Phillis Wheatley was the first African American to publish a book. She became a symbol of the adoption of white culture. This is an important part of African American history because it showed that African people could achieve great things if they were freed and able to use the knowledge they learned from their white masters. It was motivation for people of African decent who were enslaved and wanted to be free to do things such as this. -
African American Minutemen fight at Lexington and Concord
This is an important event in black history because some blacks who fought were still enslaved, and some were free, but they all fought along-sde the whites because they wanted to achieve more freedom and be able to fight for their own civil rights. Blacks were needed to help fight against the British. The fact that blacks fought during this battle is very important because it gave them hope for freedom. -
First Antislavery Society Formed
The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage was the very first antislavery society that was formed. This is a major milestone in African American history. After this small society was formed, many more societies were formed which helped African Americans to fight for their civil rights and to become free. -
Declaration of Independence
Since Thomas Jefferson wrote "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, libtery, and the pursuit of happiness," African Americans started to believe that the American War for Independence would become a war against slavery. This is a major event in history because it gave African Americans hope that they could fight for their rights and that freedom was actually in reach. -
Vermont Bans Slavery
The fact that Vermont was the first state to ban slavery is a very important part of history for African Americans. It showed the growing discontent that many Northerners had with slavery and the slave trade, especially due to the number of Quaker abolitionist movements. This event allowed blacks freedom from slavery in this state, which fueled their fight for freedom in the coming years. -
Great Britain Abolishes the Atlantic slave trade
This is very important because after Great Britain passed the Slave Trade Act of 1807, which abolished the slave trade, the number of Africans being sent to America from Africa decreased to only a tiny percentage of what it had been. Even though this obviously did not abolish slavery itself, this is still important because the number of Africans being enslaved and brought over from Africa finally began decreasing. -
Harriet Tubman Escapes From Slavery
Tubman's escape from slavery is very important to remember in black history because she was such an influential person. She helped over 300 slaves escape successfully and safely to start lives of free people. So many lives were turned around due to her braveness and kind-heart. It is no wonder she is such a remembered woman in African American history. -
Emancipation Proclamation
This was Lincoln stating that he would order the emancipation of all slaves in a state if it refused to end their rebellion against the Union before January first. He then ordered this emancipation which gave hope for African Americans. It led many slaves to escape their masters in the South and to flee to the North to start their lives as free people. This is obviously an important milestone in history for African Americans since this is the beginning of the final stages of slavery for them. -
Freedmen's Bureau
The establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau aided the newly freed African Americans. It is clear that it should be something to be remembered. It helped blacks to read and write, look for jobs, deal with legal disputes, and help them be treated as employees rather than slaves to white employers. The Freedmen's Bureau is important to blacks and their history because it helped them to move forward after being freed and to start their new lives. -
Thirteenth Amendment
The 13th Amendment is a major part of African American history. This Amendment officially abolished slavery. For blacks, this was a huge success because this means that they would no longer be forced into slavery and they were all able to be free men. Even though this did not necessarily grant all rights, freedoms, and equalities, it definitely helped African Americans a great deal. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was a major factor in moving forward for African Americans. Even though Pres. Johnson vetoed it twice, a two-thirds vote allowed it to be enacted, which goes to show that blacks were being seen as more equal than they previously were. They were considered citizens regardless of race, and they were allowed the equal benefits of laws. This is yet another stepping stone for blacks to reach full equality. -
Fourteenth Amendment
The 14th Amendment, though similar to the Civil Rights Act, addresses issues dealing with citizenship. So not only are blacks now considered citizens, but through this amendment, they have equal protection and rights under the law. It's crazy to see how far blacks have come, and due to this amendment, they are now being protected as citizens of the United States. It is such an improvement considering what they have been fighting to achieve for such a long time. -
Fifteenth Amendment
The 15th Amendment was an important accomplishment for blacks because it finally gave them the right to vote, which could not be taken away due to race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It is such an important part of history because blacks could now have a say in government and society without being told otherwise simply because they were black. This allowement to vote was important for blacks to be able to continue to fight for their rights until they were actually treated equally. -
NAACP is founded
The NAACP, which is still an oragnization today, is one of the most influential organizations in black history. They fought against lynching, Jim Crow laws, and anything in order to eliminate racial hatred and discrimination so that blacks would have equal rights as human beings. Without this organization, blacks would not be able to successfully reach their goals of full equality and advancement. -
Executive Order 9981
Truman's order to desegregate the military was a huge success for the African Americans. It not only desegregated the services, but it required equal treatment and opportunity for everyone regardless of race, religion, or national origin. Blacks were not only finally able to fight side by side with whites, but they were gauranteed equal treatment when doing so. Which, in black history, is a major success to achieving full equality. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This Supreme Court case is one of the most influential and landmarking cases, especially for blacks. It declared that 'seperate but equal' schools for blacks and whites was unconstitutional. This was a major landmark for blacks in the civil rights movement and was yet another stepping stone for blacks to be able to move forward in their fight for equality. -
Rosa Parks' Arrest
Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. This is such an important detail in black history because this is what influenced the bus boycotts. Without her bravery to stand up for what is right, blacks might not have had the courage to follow her leadership. She paved the way for blacks to stand up for their rights to be treated as equally as whites. -
Forming of SNCC
This organization was very influential. It increased the amount of registered black voters, organized sit-ins and freedom rides, played a role in the March on Washington, and most importantly it gave hope for average African Americans. It showed them that they could do extraodinary things if they worked together for a common cause. This was such an influential group for blacks during this time. -
"I Have a Dream" Speech
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered this speech as a call to end racism once and for all in America. This is one of the most remembered speeches in history, black and white, and one of the most influential. It was important because it made all of the blacks feel as though the long journey to equality was worthwhile and that their efforts were outstanding. -
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act, like the 14th and 15th amendments, protected African Americans voting rights. Not only did blacks gain the right to vote, but they were finally being protected from discrimination against whites who didn't want them to vote. This act banned literacy tests and such things that discriminated against race or language. This shows that after such a long way, blacks were finally being protected and giving equal rights.
