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Jun 15, 1215
Magna Carta Signed
More Information The Magna Carta was a document created by a group of noblemen to limit the powers of the king, based on the idea that no one is above the law. It was one of the first steps towards democracy. -
Mayflower Compact Signed
More Information The Mayflower Compact was the first set of laws by the settlers of the New World (the Pilgrims), to be free from England's rule. It was based on Christianity and equality. -
Formation of the New England Confederation
More Information The New England Confederation was created primarily to unite the Puritan colonies against the Native Americans. It helped bond the colonies together and helped set a base for meetings during the American Revolution. -
French and Indian War
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This date is when George Washington called a council of war on the French and American Indians allied with the French. Washington and other colonists wanted to expand into the French territory because they were running out of room to plant tobacco. The French and Indian War escalated to a worldwide war; allies of France and allies of Britain fought against each other. Britain eventually won, and King George passed the Royal Proclamation. -
Albany Plan of Union announced
More Information Benjamin Franklin proposed a plan to unite American colonies which created a legislative branch. The Plan was rejected by both the colonists and British Crown. -
Treaty of Paris 1763
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The Treaty of Paris of 1763 ended the Seven Years War (which the French and Indian War was part of). This also divided the land; keeping Lousiana for France and the upper Mississippi River to Britain. -
Royal Proclamation of 1763
More Information King George III made the Royal Proclamation to set limits and boundaries on the colonies. This prevented colonists from expanding into the newly gained land from the French and Indian War, depriving the colonists of victory, power, and the ability to become wealthy. This caused the colonists to question if George III cared about them. -
Sugar Act
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The Sugar Act reduced taxes on molasses, but raised taxes on other items such as sugar, wine, coffee, cambric and printed calico. The act also regulated the exportation of lumber and iron. The taxes were more strictly enforced. -
The Stamp Act
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The Stamp Act put a tax on any paper product, inluding newspapers, playing cards, and official documents. Though the price was relatively low, the colonists still didn't have representation in Parliament, and therefore didn't want to pay the taxes. The colonists boycotted British goods, and the Act was eventually repealed. -
The Stamp Act Congress
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This was one of the first times the delegates met and discussed how to solve problems. Unfortunately, not all representatives came, and it was dominated by moderates who didn't want to take much action. Eventually, the Stamp Act Resolve was passed, expressing the colonists' demand "no taxation without representation". -
Townshend Acts
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The Townshend Acts raised taxes on glass, paint, oil, lead, paper, and tea in the colonies. The colonists still weren't being represented and didn't want to pay the taxes. -
Boston Massacre
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Britain sent over 1000 soldiers to the colonies to keep order and be quartered. Some Red Coats were standing outside, and the colonists started to taunt them and insult them. One colonist threw a snowball, which encouraged the others to throw more. At first, the soldiers didn't respond, then one knocked over a soldier and he shot out of confusion. This caused the other Red Coats to shoot, and soon five people were killed and more wounded. News spread quickly of the "massacre". -
Boston Tea Party
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Lord North passed the Tea Act, giving the East India Tea Company control over trade in the colonies so they could get rid of the extra tea in England. The colonists thought England was trying to buy them off by using the cheaper tea, so they made their own instead of buying the East India tea. Some colonists in Boston disguised themselves as Indians, then dumped 15,000 pounds of tea into the harbor from the ships. -
First Continental Congress
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The colonial delegates met in Philadelphia to discuss how to respond to the Intolerable Acts and how the British were treating them. They decided to boycott British goods and work towards being self-sufficient. They planned to meet in May 1775 to discuss their progress. The colonists openly prepared for war, showing Britain that they wanted independence. -
Patrick Henry "Give Me Liberty"
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At the Second Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry encouraged raising an army, so Virginia could defend itself, using a rousing speech ending in "Give me liberty, or give me death!" -
Paul Revere's Ride
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Paul Revere rode on the night of April 18th, along with Dawes and Prescott, to alert the colonists that the Red Coats were coming by sea (two lanterns in the Old North Church). Revere was captured by the British regulars, but Dawes and Prescott managed to escape. Revere was freed after bragging about his ride, and the Patriots won against the Red Coats. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
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Revere, Dawes, and Prescott rode to warn the colonists about the Red Coats so they would be ready for these battles. First, the Minutemen (trained to be ready at a moment's notice) and the British Regualars met and fought on the Lexington Green. After killing seven Minutemen, the British troops moved on to Concord; the Minutemen lined the roads, hidden behind trees and fences. The Regulars were shot at on their retreat. -
Second Continental Congress
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This meeting organized the Continental Army, to be led by George Washington. Congress also authorized the printing of money, and a committee for foreign relationships. Many colonists still wanted to be loyal to Britain, but some were preparing for independence. -
Fort Ticonderoga
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Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen commanding 80 Green Mountain Boys attacked Fort Ticonderoga in the early morning. A British sentry accidently left a door open when he went to get more gunpowder, letting the Green Mountain Boys flood in. The surprised British were taken prisoner; the colonists had won an important victory that led to a northern campain. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
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The American soldiers headed towards what they thought was Bunker Hill, but it was really Breed's Hill, closer to the British. The British surrounded the Americans with ships, then had to wait for the tides to march up the hill to fight. The British marched up and down the hill a few times, each time losing more. The British won the third time, only because the
Americans ran out of amunition. -
"Common Sense" Published
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Thomas Paine wrote "Common Sense", challenging British authority. This was the first public work about seeking independence from Britain. He used relatively simple language, appealing to most colonists. -
British Evacuate Boston
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Boston had been under seige for a few months, and George Washington ordered for more gunpowder and cannons to be brought. 50 cannons were aimed at the British ships, and British General Howe decided to retreat to Nova Skotia instead of fighting, taking the rest of the British soldiers with him. This peaceful victory was one of Washington's first in many, -
Declaration of Independence Announced
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Four days after it was approved in Congress, the Declaration of Indepence was announced and read outloud by Sherriff John Nixon. This was also the first time fireworks were used to celebrate independence. -
"The Crisis" Published
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Thomas Paine was a popular journalist during the Revolutionary War period. The Crisis helped encourage people to join the army and inspired people. George Washington had it read at Valley Forge to inspire his troops and give them hope. Paine's writings inspired passion, but also criticism. -
Washington Captures Trenton
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George Washington crossed the Delaware River to get to Trenton. Washington and a small army took Trenton from mostly drunken Hessian mercenaries during a blizzard. Most of the Germans were quickly captured or fled. -
British Defeated at Saratoga
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British General John Burgoyne planned a divide and conquer method of defeating the Americans, but his patner Howes decided not to help. The British won the first battle at Ticonderoga, but by then the soldiers were running low. An American general burned the crops that would be in the British soldiers' path, so they would need to rely on the poor trade from Canada. The Americans won at Saratoga; Britain surrendered. -
Winter at Valley Forge
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After losing many battles, George Washington camped out in Valley Forge with his soldiers to keep an eye on the British. Unfortunately, the troops were sick, starving, and freezing in cold log cabins, while the British soldiers were perfectly safe and warm. A Prussian volunteer named Baron von Steuben helped the troops by training them, and food eventually started coming in. The remaining soldiers were stronger and dedicated. -
Articles of Confederation Signed
More Information The Articles of Confederation was signed on July 9, 1778 by some of the states and the signing continued until on March 1, 1781 the last state ratified the Articles. The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States. -
John Paul Jones Defeats Serapis
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John Paul Jones, known as the Father of the American Navy, captured the English H.M.S. warship in the North Sea. He won through a long and difficult battle, though many people didn't think he would. Unfortunately, all his fleet was given to the French once he landed, only leaving one American ship for him to return home on. -
Benedict Arnold Plans Found Out
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Benedict Arnold started out as a valiant Patriot, but when people were starting to treat him badly and not notice him, he changed sides. The first charges against him were using government wagons for his own personal uses and issuing a pass to a ship he later invested in, but then he started bargaining with the British. He sacrificed his own leg to the British, but he was never really trusted by anyone. -
Cornwallis Surredndered
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British commander Charles Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington. The British troops had been suffering from hunger, disease, bad weather, American attacks, low supplies, and a failed evacuation. This ended the major battles of the Revolutionary War. -
Newburgh Conspiracy
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The Continental Army was upset because of they didn't get paid. The men were restless, and they were on the verge of a military coup until George Washington managed to calm the soldiers. He gave out awards for bravery and a speech, but what convinced the soldiers was when he fumbled for a moment to put on his glasses, saying that he had grown grey and almost blind in service to his country. -
Treaty of Paris Signed
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The Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War. In signing, the British agreed to see the United States as a free, independent country. -
Spain closes Mississippi River
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Spain closed the Mississippi River to the United States, causing bad relations between the countries. The Gulf of Mexico was also blocked. This also slowed trade. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
More Information Thomas Jefferson came up with the plan to sell the Northwest Territory to the Native Americans to pay off the 80 million dollar debt of the Revolutionary War. The Northwest Territory was divided into townships of 6 square miles. -
Ordinance of Religious Freedom
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Thomas Jefferson worked most of his life to secure religious freedom. He first proposed his Ordinance of Religious Freedom in 1779, but it was rejected. On, January 16, 1786, the Virginia legislature adopted the Statute of Religoius Freedom, which was pretty much the same. -
Shays' Rebellion
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Daniel Shays (a former Revolutionary War captian, now a farmer in Western MA) led this rebellion for farmers' rights, because farms were taken by the government when they couldn't pay taxes in coins. The rebellion forced people to realize that the Articles of Confederation should be rethought. -
Annapolis Convention
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The Annapolis Convention was a meeting of 12 representatives from 5 states. They were going to discuss the Articles of Confederation and how to improve them, but decided to wait until they had more staes represented. They scheduled another meeting (the Philadelphia or Constitutional Convention). -
Constitutional Convention Opens
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The Constitutional Convention (also called the Philadelphia Convention) was where the Constitution was created. The Great Compromise also took place at this meeting. -
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
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The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 created the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It made sure these states had equal rights to the original states. -
Great Compromise Agreed
More InformationThe Great (Conneticut) Compromise was the creation of the legislative branch. Two plans were created during the Constitutional Congress. The Virginia (Large State) Plan stated that representation should be proportional, based on the population of the state; the Compromise created the House of Representatives using this. The New Jersey (Small State) Plan stated that each state should have the same number of representatives, regardless of population; the Compromise created the Senate using this. -
Constitution Sent to States for Ratification
More Information The Constitutional Congress sent the Constitution to the states to be ratified; it would only become law if 9 out of the 13 states approved. -
Anti-Federalists Articles Appear
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The anti-Federalists opposed the ratification of the Constitution. They argued that there wasn't a bill of rights, it wasn't open to everyone, it took power from the states, and it wasn't even legal (the Constitutional Convention was only supposed to revise the Articles of Confederation). The Anti-Federalist Papers/Articles were essays by anti-Federalists. -
Federalist Papers Appear
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The Federalists approved the Constitution. They claimed that the Constitution guarded against injustice, and that the ideas of the citizens would be refined and enlarged through the legislature. The Federalist Papers were a collection of essays by Federalists. -
Delaware Ratified Constitution
More Information Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution. They had a perfect vote of 30 to 0. -
Massachusetts Ratified Constitution
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Massachusetts was the 6th state to ratify the Constitution, with a vote of 187 to 168. They were unsure at first, and suggested a bill of rights. -
New Hampshire Ratified Constitution
More Information New Hampshire was the 9th state to ratify the constitution, assuring it would be put into action. They had a vote of 57 to 47. -
George Washington Elected as President
More Information George Washington was the first president of the United States. He was a leader and founding father. He didn't really want to be president, but everyone voted for him in the Electoral College. -
Congress Meets for the First Time
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The First Session of Congress met at the New York City’s Federal Hall on March 4, 1789. -
Bill of Rights Sent to States
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The Bill of Rights was sent to the states on September 25, It was ratified by the states December 15, 1791. -
Bill of Rights Ratified
More Information The Bill of Rights was ratified over a year after it was passed. It lists the rights of the American citizen; including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, right to bear arms, right to a fair and speedy trial, right to have a lawyer, and cruel and unusual punishment is forbidden. -
Kentucky Resolutions Written
More InformationThe Kentucky Resolution was written in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, which limited freedom of speech and allowed the president to imprison foreigners who were considered dangerous. The Resolution was also written by Thomas Jefferson. -
Virginia Resolution
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The Virginia Resolution was written in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, which limited freedom of speech and allowed the president to imprison foreigners who were considered dangerous. The Resolution was written by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. -
Hartford Convention During the War of 1812
More InformationNew England and the Federalist Party opposed the War of 1812 and met in secret to think of a solution. They thought of secession, then rejected the idea as premature. They drafted a declaration and amendments to be added to the Constitution. Unfortunately, peace had been found while they were meeting and their actions were seen as reactionary and unnecessary; they never recovered, and soon ceased to exist. -
Missouri Compromise
More InformationThis compromise was created to balance the votes in Senate for both the slave states and the free states. It added Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state; as well as creating the 36 30' line dividing the Lousiana Purchase into slave and free territories. This gave the North more land than the South, but kept the Senate votes temporarily equal. -
Tariff of Abominations Passed
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The Tariff of Abominations raised taxes on foreign goods while devalueing southern cotton, in the hope of making the north more industrialized. -
South Carolina Tried to Nulify
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Vice President John C. Calhoun from South Carolina believed that the government got its power through the states, therefore a state could declare that they wouldn't follow a law, creating a national law void. The South Carolina State House passed the South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification. In response, Congress created a compromise bill to make things more equal, and South Carolina removed their nullification. -
Abolition of Slavery Act
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Britain officially abolished slavery the British Empire in 1833. There had been many revolts, especially in the West Indies, that frightened the British government and forced them to consider abolishing slavery. Nearly everyone agreed. The Act did not immediately free the slaves; first they had to serve a 6 year "apprenticeship". The apprenticeship requirement was removed August 1st, 1838. -
Texas Declares Independence from Mexico
More InformationTexas declared independence from Mexico and became irs own republic. Ten years later, it became part of the United States. -
Jim Crow enters Cultural Language
More Information Jim Crow was a musical character created by actor Thomas Rice, who became a stereotypical black in the eyes of whites, a foolish and crazy dancer. Jim Crow was used as a derogatary term to blacks in the 19th century, then became associated with laws that limited their rights. -
James Polk Elected
More InformationJames Polk was the president of the United States who iniated the Mexican War. He also approved of Texas becoming a state. -
Wilmot Proviso
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David Wilmot wrote the Wilmot Proviso to end the spread of slavery. It outlawed slavery in the territory gained by the Mexican War. It had support in the House because the Northeners outnumbered the Southerners, but never got passed as a law because South and North were equally represented. -
Mexican War
More InformationThe Mexican War was a result of the Missouri Compromise and Manifest Destiny. The South wanted more land, so they could be equal to or greater than the North. By Manifest Destiny, they believed that God wanted America's great nation to spread from sea to shining sea. The uncertain borders of Texas also gave an excuse to start the war with Mexico, when American blood was shed on American soil, though uncertain. -
California Enters the Union
More InformationCalifornia entered the Union as a free state. This made the balance between North and South uneven, which is why the Compromise of 1850 was created. -
Fugitive Slave Law Enacted
More InformationAs a result of the Compromise of 1850, a harsher Fugitive Slave Law was created. This forced the whole country, North and South, to return escaping slaves. -
Publication of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
More InformationHarriet Stow wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin in response to the Fugitive Slave Act. It quickly spread theough America, sending the message. It was mainly about a slave woman named Eliza trying to escape with her child to meet up with her husband, but evil slave-catchers were after them. -
Formation of the Republican Party
More InformationThe Republican Party was formed as a result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. They were devoted to stopping the expansion of slavery. Abraham Lincoln became the well-known leader of this party after the Lincoln-Douglas debates. -
Kansas Nebraska Act Passed
More InformationThe Kansas Nebraska Act allowed Kansas and Nebraska popular soveignity, meaning they could decide for themselves whether or not to support slavery. The South supported this, thinking they could easily influence the states' decisions. -
Border Ruffians attack Lawrence
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The Border Ruffians were pro-slavery soldiers who attacked the border of Kansas to get more pro-slavery than anti-slavery votes. The Border Ruffians took control of the capital and rigged the votes so slavery would be allowed. One of the first laws they made was to punish anyone who spoke out about slavery with two years of hard labor. -
Charles Sumner Attacked
More InformationCharles Sumner (a Massachusetts Senator) made a speech blaming two Senators for the violence in Kansas, especially blaming Andrew Butler. A relative of Butler, Preston Brooks, repeatedly hit Sumner in the head with a cane, knocking him unconscious. Both were seen as heroes to their sides. -
Pottawatomie Creek
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John Brown and his sons killed five slavery supporters by bruatally hacking at their heads with broadswords. Brown's supporters claim he did not kill anyone himself, but did decide who would live and who would die. -
Dred Scott Decision
More InformationDred Scott was a slave who was brought between slave and free states. He sued his master in hopes of earning his freedom. Many slaves in position had done so and won, but Scott had bad timing. At the time he presented his case, arguments over slavery very high. After trying multiple times, Scott lost the case. Roger Toney, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, ruled that slaves are property, every state is a slave state, and there was no such thing as popular soveignity. -
Lecompton Constitution Passed
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This was the second Constitution for Kansas, and it was written by slavery supporters. It allowed slavery and didn't allow free blacks. On the final vote, the citizens of Kansas rejected it. -
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
More InformationLincoln and Douglas were running to be an Illinois senator; the main issue that divided them was slavery. Douglas (running for re-election) supported slavery and popular soveignity, while Lincoln opposed both. Lincoln argued that "a house divided against itself cannot stand..." and also that blacks should have natural rights, but not equality. Douglas believed that "our government can indure forever, divided into free and slave states.." and that the Declaration only reffered to white men. -
Raid at Harper's Ferry
More InformationJohn Brown strikes again. Brown led a group of abolutionists and slaves to seize the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry and arm more slaves to start revolts. He hoped to start a chain reaction of revolts throughout the South to end slavery. Unfortunately, he and his men were captured at the arsenal. John Brown was sentanced to death and was hanged December 2nd, 1859. -
Democrats Split
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The Democratic Party had been split over the issue of slavery by the late 1850s; the Northern Democrats opposing slavery's expansion and the Southern Democrats wanting to spread slavery across the USA. When the Northern Democrats wanted to nominate Douglas as a candidate for president, the Southerns left and refused to vote. Later, they nominated John C. Breckenridge. -
Constitutional Union Party Forms
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This party was formed to support "the Constitution of the country, the union of the States, and the enforcement of the laws," but took no side on slavery. They thought that the issue of slavery would only cause disunion and tension in the states, so nothing should've been done on it. -
Election of 1860
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Abraham Lincoln represented the Republican Party; Stephen Douglas represented the Northern Democrats; John C. Breckenridge represented the Southern Democrats; John Bell represented the Constitutional Union Party. Lincoln won the election with 40% popular votes and 180 electoral votes. A few weeks later, South Carolina seceded from the Union. -
Lincoln announces Restoration Plan
More Information Lincoln announced his 10% Plan for Restoration. He would allow the Confederacy states to become full members of the United States after 10% of the voters swore allegiance to the Union. It pardoned all Southerners who swore allegiance to the Union, as long as they hadn't killed an African-American prisoner. -
Wade-Davis Bill Vetoed
More Information The Wade-Davis Bill was a harsher plan for Reconstruction than Lincoln's 10% Plan. Created by the Radical Republicans, it required that the Southern states abolish slavery, that the majority of the population swear loyalty to the Union, and that governors are chosen to be in charge of the southern states. Lincoln pocket-vetoed it, meaning he left it alone until it expired. -
Lincoln Re-elected
More Information Lincoln was re-elected to his second term with 212/233 electoral votes and 55% of the popular vote. The end of the Civil War and the future of the United States hung in the balance. The Republicans and some Democrats created the National Union Party, nominating Lincoln for President and Andrew Johnson for Vice President. -
Formation of the Freedman's Bureau
More Information The Freedman's Bureau was created to help refugees of the Civil War, especially the African-Americans who were recently freed from slavery. It helped provide jobs, food, and education to the newly-freed slaves. -
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
More Information Lincoln was shot while watching a play, sitting in the presidential box. John Wilkes Booth was the one who shot him, then escaped with a few injuries. The Vice-President, Andrew Johnson, then became President. -
Johnson Announces Reconstruction Plan
More Information Andrew Johnson's Restoration Plan was kinder than Lincoln's. He allowed states to hold constitutional conventions without the 10% requirement, pardoned the South after they swore allegiance and abolished slavery. -
Black Codes Created in Mississippi
More Information The Black Codes limited the rights of the newly-freed slaves. They were usually not allowed to hold land, bear witness, be out after dark, or enter the city without permission. They could easily fall into debt and be forced to work on a farm in conditions not much better than slavery. -
13th Amendment Ratified
More Information The 13th Amendment officially abolished slavery in the United States. It stated, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." -
Ku Klux Klan created
More Information The Ku Klux Klan was created as a social club, originally having no violent intent. It quickly grew, spreading throughout the south, including generals, soldiers, sheriffs, and criminals, then becoming a terrorist organization. The KKK targeted mostly African-Americans in political positions, but then started whipping and killing any blacks. They burned churches and schools, killing many innocents. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
More Information The Civil Rights Act of 1866 gave equal rights to blacks and whites. Andrew Johnson tried to veto it, but was outvoted with 2/3 of Congress. -
President Andrew Johnson Impeached
More Information Johnson was raised in the South and thought whites were superior to blacks, so he tried to veto most civil rights acts or anything giving them more rights. Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act, which meant the president couldn't fire any officials without Congress' assent. Johnson defied this act by firing the Secretary of War. Congress impeached him, limiting his power. -
Reconstruction Acts
More Information The Radical Republicans created this act of Reconstruction to reform the South. This act required that the Southern states be controlled by Northern military officials, that the south must choose new delegates to create new state constitutions, and that the 14th Amendment be passed. -
Ratification of 14th Amendment
More Information The 14th Amendment made everyone born or naturalized in the United States a citizen, which included the newly-freed slaves. It also prevented states from making laws that would limit the blacks' rights. -
U.S. Grant Elected President
More Information U.S. Grant was became president in the 1868 elections. The Radical Republicans supported him. -
15th Amendment Ratified
More Information The 15th Amendment allowed black men to vote; the "right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Unfortunately, this was not fully put into place until later, since the Southerners limited access to voting by literacy tests, taxes, and "the grandfather clause". -
Hiram Revels Elected Senate
More Information Hiram Revels was the first African-American Senator. The current Senators argued whether or not to allow him, but eventually Charles Sumner swayed the decision with a speech to allow Revels to become Senator. -
Ku Klux Klan Act
More Information The Ku Klux Klan Act suppressed its activities. It added penalties of imprisonment and fines to anyone who tries to limit the rights of anyone else. It protected voters, especially African-Americans. The writ of habeas corpus was limited in many southern states to ensure the rights of everyone were being protected. -
Freedman's Bureau Abolished
More Information The Bureau was not liked by most, so it was abolished, and the army would take over its functions. It was criticized for promoting the Republics -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
More Information The Civil Rights Act of 1875 allowed African-Americans to be integrated with whites in schools, restaurants, trains, and most public areas. It fined anyone who went against the act. -
Rutherford B. Hayes Elected President
More Information Republican Rutherford B. Hayes won the election by one vote to Democrat Samuel J. Tilden. -
Last National Troops Leave South Carolina
More Information South Carolina voted on its governors, General Wade Hampton (Democrat) and Governor Chamberlain (Republican). President Hayes ordered his troops to withdraw, ending the Reconstruction in South Carolina. -
Civil Rights Act Overturned
More Information The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was declared unconstitutional, and therefore overturned. This opened the door for segregation. -
Florida Segregates Public Places
More Information Florida was the first to segregate public areas. They said it was "separate but equal", but the conditions weren't usually equal. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
More Information Homer Plessy ( 1/8 black) defied the Separate Car Act by sitting in the car meant for whites. Plessy lost, because it was declared that "separate but equal" is still equal, though it really isn't.
