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1st Slaves Arrive in the U.S.
The first Black people arrive in Virginia where they were transported from Africa to be sold or auctioned as slaves. http://www.ushistory.org/more/timeline.htm -
The Declaration of Independence
On July 4th, 1776, The Declaration of Independence is signed by leaders of the 13 colonies where it states that all men are created equal, but due to the overwhelming demand slavery continued on. -
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was the term used to describe a network of meeting places, secret routes, passageways and safe houses used by slaves in the U.S. to escape slave holding states to northern states and Canada. One of the most prominent figures of the Underground Railroad was Harriet Tubman http://www.historynet.com/underground-railroad -
The Cotton Gin
The invention from Eli Whitney called the cotton gin drastically increases the demand of slaves in the south where cotton was the predominate product grown. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation abolishing slavery in territory controlled by the Confederate States of America. http://www.ushistory.org/more/timeline.htm -
The 14th & 15th Amendments
The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 allowing blacks to become U.S. Citizens.
The 15th Amendment was passed in 1870 permitting black men the right to vote. http://www.ushistory.org/more/timeline.htm -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to obey bus driver James F. Blake's order to give up her seat in the "colored section" to a white passenger, after the whites-only section was filled. This event started a 381 bus boycott and helped nationwide effects to end segregation. -
The Civil Rights Act
President Johnson announces the "Great Society" with "abundance and liberty for all", and declares a "War on Poverty." Congress authorizes the Civil Rights Act, the most far-reaching legislation in U.S. history to ensure the right to vote, guarantee access to public accommodations, and the withdrawal of federal funds to any program administered in a discriminatory way. http://www.ushistory.org/more/timeline.htm