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NAACP is formed
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded. This organization was formed in response to lynchings and race riots. The NAACP's principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of black citizens of the United States and to eliminate race prejudice. The NAACP focused on securing the rights of all people that are freely given, shown in the Constitution. -
Universal Negro Improvement Association
The UNIA focused on racial uplift and the establishment of educational and industrial opportunities for blacks.The founder of the organization, Marcus Garvy, thought that blacks should be liberated and should be able to make determine their own destiny. -
369th Infantry Regiment
This is a video about the 369th infantry regiment coming home.This regiment was popularly known as the "Harlem Hellfighters" and they were the best known African American unit of WW1. The soldiers were lucky compared to other African American soldiers becuase they enjoyed continuous leadership and their colonel respected his troops. The 369th Infantry Regiment showed the pursuit for African Americans of liberty and equality. -
Silent Protest Parade
10,000-15,000 African-Americans marched down FIfth Avenue on this date. The parade took place to protest against lawless treatment of blacks. The silent march was important because it got the message, that blacks should be equal and free, across and focused on the people. The march was in response to the loss of lives of the blacks due to lynchings. -
Oscar Micheaux's "The Homesteader"
This video is about the career of Oscar Micheaux.By producing this film, Micheaux reveals to challenge openly the racial injusticies that African Americans faced. He addressed sensitive issues that other filmakers avoided. He stressed the liberty that blacks are entitled to. -
Black Swan Phonograph Corporation
The first Black-owned record label in America was founded, Black Swan Records. This was a big step for blacks in the entertainment industry as they came head to head with big white owned corporations. Black Swan Records helped bring jazz music to a bigger audience and through this the pursuit of happiness and life were finally becoming a reality for African Americans.
This is a clip of one of the records from Black Swan. -
Marian Anderson performs at New York's Town Hall
Marian Anderson was the first black singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She broke racial sterotypes and prejudice. She showed society that blacks are talented and valuable. -
Meta Warrick Fuller’s sculpture Ethiopia Awakening
Meta Fuller created the sculpture Ethiopia Awakening which was of a beautiful black woman. This sculpture came to symbolize the "New Negro" which was valued and captured the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance. The sculpture expressed womanhood. -
The Harmon Foundation
This foundation worked to recognize African American's in fine arts, business, education, farming, literature, music, race relations, religious service, and science. They worked to reverse racial intolerance and exposed the value of African American's to society. -
Anti-Lynching Bill is Passed
L.C. Dyer of Missouri introduced the anti-lynching bill to Congress making lynching a federal crime. This was a step for a better society for blacks where they gained freedom and equality. -
Joe "King" Oliver records with Louis Armstrong
This is a clip of King Oliver playing Jazz music.Oliver was not formerly educated in music but his blasts of the cornet brought a new sound to the horn. The band helped bring bottom-up swing to New Orleans and helped develop jazz music, which was not the type of music that was socially acceptable. -
Savoy Ballroom
This is a clip that shows the type of people, dancing, and music that happened at the Savoy Ballroom.The Savoy Ballroom served alcohol at the bar and allowed for interracial dancing which was frowned upon at other night spots. Only 15% of the popoulation at the Savoy Ballroom were white, the majority was black. The type of music played here was jazz. The things that went on at the Savoy Ballroom are an example of moral relativism. -
Apollo Theatre
This is a show that took place in the Apollo Theatre.In 1934, the Apollo Theatre shifted from its performance of burlesque style shows to the new celebration of black culture in New York. The theatre became a place to celebrate African American performers. It is important because this was were blacks could openly perform and society started to realize that blacks truely were talented. The theatre helped launch the careers of many black performers. -
There Eyes Were Watching God
This book, by Zora Hurston, focused on blacks and women. Two types of people who were not thought of as being powerful in society during this time period. Many characters in this book struggle to gain power in a white-dominated world. They fought for a more just and free society. -
Midsummer Night in Harlem
This painting reflects the thriving African American Community. The bright colors used in this painting, by Palmer Hayden, represents the pursuit of happiness during this time period.
