Timeline by

1492-1800: Columbian Exchange

savannah28 — 2025-02-06 19:52:26 UTC

Christopher Columbus is famous for his travels around the world in 1492. With these travels came many changes and transfers of people, goods, and ideas. These exchanges can be put into four main categories, diseases, animals, plants, and people. Disease transfer between the old and new world is responsible for many deaths. Diseases were transferred from Europeans to Native Americans and vice versa. For example, many natives died of smallpox from Europe, and many Europeans died of sexually transmitted diseases. These diseases also led to starvation and malnutrition. Pigs, cows, and horses were brought over to the Americas and their populations spread rapidly as they were needed for agriculture, work, and food supply. Many plants were exchanged across oceans as well, for example, corn and potatoes were brought over to Eurasia. People were also exchanged and with this came the increase of slavery and rapid population increases as well. Globalization exploded as people became more and more interconnected and interdependent.

10,000 BC: Neolithic Agricultural Revolution

savannah28 — 2025-02-06 19:54:08 UTC

The neolithic agricultural revolution began around 10,000 BC. Prior to the revolution, humans relied on hunting and gathering to survive. Eventually, humans shifted over towards agriculture and herding. There are advantages, such as having a controllable food supply or surplus, but there are also disadvantages, such as changing and manipulating the Earth. Some historians suggest the neolithic agricultural revolution was not planned, but instead happened slowly as the population grew and there were more people to feed. Following this revolution came more agricultural revolutions as technology advanced and equipment was invented, for example, tractors.

356-323 BC: Alexander the Great

savannah28 — 2025-02-06 19:55:04 UTC

Alexander the Great, born in 356 BC was famous for never losing a battle. He was the son of King Phillip II, and tamed a wild horse at a young age. He conquered tons of territory and destroyed the Persian Empire. He was admired by Napoleon, and tutored by Aristotle. He had a huge impact on culture and established a common language in his region, Greek. He served as a model for military generals. His empire was split into three after his death at the age of 32.

1st Century AD: Christianity from Judaism to Constantine

savannah28 — 2025-02-06 19:56:17 UTC

Christianity stemmed from Judaism in Judea, a Roman province led by Herod the Great. Hebrews initially worshipped many gods, but switched over towards monotheism. Abraham, a figure in Christianity, established a covenant with God, which led to the term of Jews as "the chosen people." Jesus of Nazareth, was a teacher who valued peace, love, and justice, especially for the lower class. Jesus was believed to be the Messiah, or son of God, and was crucified by the Romans. Saul, later known as Paul stated that Christianity was open to anyone and that people did not have to be apart of the covenant or judaism to follow. The religion became more and more popular as the Romans accepted it in the first century AD.

2700-1070 BCE: Ancient Egyptian Civilizations

savannah28 — 2025-02-06 20:00:36 UTC

The Old Kingdom, from 2700 to 2200 BC included the building of the Pyramids and the rule of King Menes. The Middle Kingdom, from 2055 to 1650 was invaded by Hyksos and included many Pharaohs. The Middle Kingdom was considered the Golden Age of Stability. The Nile River in Egypt is the longest in the world, and the ancient Egyptians created the modern day calendar.

260 BC-140 AD: Ancient India

savannah28 — 2025-02-06 20:03:07 UTC

The ancient people of India used a caste system as their social structure. Their religions included Hinduism and Buddhism. 3 new empires came out of ancient India. The Mauryan Empire was in 260 BC. The Kushan Empire was in 200 BC, and the Gupta Empire in 140 AD.

1600 BC-220 AD: Ancient China

savannah28 — 2025-02-06 20:06:29 UTC

Chinese geography consists of important rivers and river valleys, as well as mountains and deserts. The harsh climate varies across the region, with monsoons in the coastal area. Ancient Chinese government depended on dynasties. The Shang was followed by the Zhou. The Qin came after the Zhou and the Han dynasty ended the dynastic cycle. Common ideologies included Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism. Many technological and cultural innovations came out of this area.

4500-300 BCE: Ancient Western Asia

savannah28 — 2025-02-06 20:09:55 UTC

The age of ancient Western Asia took place mostly in the Fertile Crescent region, with the growth of religion and beliefs in many gods. Agriculture, economy, trade, and industry were advanced. Bronze was invented and used in everyday life. Theocracy and patriarchy were political themes. The invention of the wagon wheel and a number system based on 60 digits was introduced.

1600-330 BC: Ancient Nomads

savannah28 — 2025-02-06 20:15:23 UTC

The Hittite Kingdom was from 1600BC-1200BC. It was pastoral and Indo-European in Western Asia. The Phoenicians in Palestine and the Mediterranean Coast after 1200 BC implemented trade and created the alphabet. The Israelites in Canaan, Egypt, and Jerusalem, from 1200BC to modern day were ruled by King Solomon and Judaism sprouted Christianity. Moses was a key figure in this. The Assyrians from 700BC-612BC were in Mesopotamia and Iran. The Persians were from 539 BC to 330BC, ruled by Cyrus the Great.

1900s: Humans and Energy Post-Industrialization

savannah28 — 2025-02-11 00:29:42 UTC

Energy is the power to do work. For 99% of human history, the main source of energy to do work was muscle, whether that be human or animal. The fuel for this was food, which was mostly plants, fueled by the sun. The first great energy source was fire, allowing humans to cook and work metal. Another source came from the domestication of plants and animals. Developments in energy plateaued after the invention of agriculture. The next big change in energy was industrialization, using coal, oil, and natural gas. The steam engine in England was the first energy source that used power not derived from muscle, water or wind. The world since the early 1900s has been completely different in terms of energy in human history. Electricity came shortly after industrialization, and is now more essential in daily life than ever. Nuclear power is less common because of its risks, for example in England in 1957 and 1969 in France. Cleanup takes years and millions of dollars. Cleaner, more renewable forms of energy have been the newest movement in response to climate change. Current technologies are unsustainable and considered not normal compared to human history.

Late 1800s-1900s: Drought and Famine

savannah28 — 2025-02-11 00:30:38 UTC

For the most part, famines have been man-made disasters. Between 1932 and 1933, millions died in Ukraine and Russia due to government-induced famine. In the late 1950s, millions of Chinese people died due to famine for governmental reasons as well. Famines often occur in the global south, due to weather reasons such as drought. Monsoons can be devastating to agriculture in Asia. Between 1957 and 1959 there was a famine in China associated with the great leap forward. In the late 19th century in India, millions of lives were lost due to market forces, government, ideology, and bad weather. Due to agricultural technology today, there are fewer undernourished people, and more people have food security.

1500-1200 BCE: The End of Civilization in the Bronze Age

savannah28 — 2025-02-11 00:32:00 UTC

The Egyptians were the central power in the bronze age trade market, but the Hittite empire came close. Military and conquest was the main driver in economic growth. Civilizations are systems, where structures and religious/cultural practices connect to make a whole. Near 1200 BCE, regions were destroyed. Archeoseismologists determine that between near 1225 BCE an ‘earthquake storm’ destroyed cities, which were previously blamed on war and invasion. Drought and famine may also be a factor in the end of civilization in the bronze age. Many theories conflict with each other's explanations. Some say the interconnectedness disrupted each of the regions as one, which is still relevant in today's connected-more-than-ever world.

1939-1945: World War II, A War for Resources

savannah28 — 2025-02-11 00:33:10 UTC

Though the second World War is looked at as a battle between good and evil, it is also looked at as a war over food. Japan and Germany did not have the resources to become self-sufficient in an interconnected world like they wanted to be, and sought to expand their territories for more land for agriculture. Rationing actually had somewhat of a positive effect on some regions’ diets as people started growing their own food and eating healthier. However, this also led to famine due to the massive amounts of food needed for soldiers. Japanese soldiers had to fend for themselves when it came to food, leaving them the most starved. A large percentage of Japanese deaths during WWII were actually due to malnourishment and starvation.

March 12, 1956: Southern Manifesto

savannah28 — 2025-02-19 02:26:58 UTC

In response to the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, 101 southern members of Congress draft the Declaration of Constitutional Principles, popularly known as the "Southern Manifesto," pledging to "use all lawful means to bring about a reversal of this decision which is contrary to the Constitution and to prevent the use of force in its implementation." Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 that ruled racial segregation in schools as unconstitutional. This ruling overturned the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision that legalized segregation. The Brown v. Board of Education case combined cases from Kansas, South Caroline, Virginia, and Delaware. The case is considered a pivotal moment in American civil rights history.

March 23, 1775: "Give me liberty or give me death!"

savannah28 — 2025-02-19 02:28:42 UTC

Patrick Henry delivers his famous speech "Give me liberty or give me death" at Henrico Parish, now named St. John's Church, in Richmond. Delegate Patrick Henry presented resolutions to raise and establish a militia, and to put Virginia in a posture of defense. On the 23rd, Henry presented a proposal to organize a volunteer company of cavalry or infantry in every Virginia county. This speech is included in many history class curriculums, and is a famous historical quote. Patrick Henry is considered a founding father of the United States.

April 6, 1917: US enters WWI

savannah28 — 2025-02-19 02:30:40 UTC

Under President Woodrow Wilson, a Virginia native, the United States declares war on Germany and enters World War I. This decision came after the US remained neutral for around 4 years. The US entered the war for a variety of reasons. Some include propaganda and the Zimmerman Telegram. The sinking of the Lusitania and unrestricted submarine warfare are other reasons for entrance into the war against the central powers.

June 12, 1967: Loving v. Virginia

savannah28 — 2025-02-19 02:31:44 UTC

The U.S. Supreme Court, in Loving v. Virginia, unanimously declares unconstitutional Virginia's laws prohibiting interracial marriage. This decision nullified similar laws in fifteen other states. Loving v. Virginia was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1967 that ruled against state laws banning interracial marriage. The case involved Mildred Jeter, an African American woman, and Richard Loving, a white man, who married in D.C., and were arrested upon returning to Virginia. Their case marked a significant victory for black Americans and inspired a film.

1800s: Industrialization, Civil War, Anti-Renter Movement

savannah28 — 2025-02-19 18:19:15 UTC

In Chapter 10, "The Other Civil War," many important dates, events, and figures are discussed. The chapter starts off talking about how in the mid-late 1830s, Anti-Renters rebelled and acted out violently against landlords who could timber their property and evict them. The anti-renters dressed as what Zinn describes "calico Indian costumes" sounding tin horns, which served as a symbol of the Boston Tea Party and recalling original ownership of soil. Thousands of men were trained. Dozens of towns and counties along the Hudson Valley joined, starting the Anti-Renter Movement in the Hudson Valley, protesting against the patroonship system. An economic crisis in 1837 occurred following the completion of the Erie Canal as many were unemployed or laid off and seeking land. Sheriffs and deputies who tried to serve writs to the anti-rent farmers were surrounded by the raiders and tarred and feathered. The governor of NY ordered artillery men into action and a calvary from NYC arrived. Petitions for an anti-rent bill was signed by 25,000 tenants and put before legislature in 1845, but was defeated. The governor sent in 300 troops and declared a state of rebellion as anti-renters were put in jail. These prisoners were pardoned in 1846, as a constitutional convention outlawed new feudal leases. The "Address on the Right of Free Suffrage" occurred in 1833, and the Luther v. Borden case in 1849. Dorr's rebellion and the anti-renter movement are often not found in history textbooks. Jacksonian Democracy and the Jacksonian period was under Andrew Jackson in the 1830s and 1840s. He was the first president to master liberal rhetoric, speaking for common men in order to achieve stability and control by winning to the Democratic Party. Canals, railroads, and telegraphs were introduced, and by 1840, 11 million Americans lived in cities. NY had a million people by 1860. The typhoid epidemic in 1837 and the cholera epidemic in 1832 left the poor people dead in the city as the rich fled. In this time of industrialization, there was a growing white-collar class. Farms were more mechanized as equipment and technology advances came. Turnpikes, canals, and railroads brought more people westward and more products to the east. Trade unions were forming and war brought women into factory and shop jobs. The civil war was one of the first instances of modern warfare. Following the Homestead Act came the Contract Labor Law of 1864. Following the civil war, people realized they were not united or powerful enough to defeat private capital and government power. This description is different from my previous understandings because most history courses only briefly touch on Industrialization and the civil war in the 1800s, and are discussed in a way where we are prompted to remember dates and key events or figures, but not the more social issues that occurred to people in that time. Perspectives of women, colored people, and the working or lower class are often left out from curriculums or even discussions because we tend to push away the negative topics that do not glorify American history. The crash course, #23, discusses later events following the civil war, which still relate to the topics in Chapter 10.

1883: First American Time Zones

savannah28 — 2025-02-19 18:28:39 UTC

Due to the transcontinental railroads that spanned across the United States, railroad workers needed a standard time that would comply with changing regions of the US. This brought upon the first American time zones in 1883. The US was broken up into regions that were each an hour ahead or behind the region before or after it, moving from east to west. The railways transferred people, products, and ideas. This also contributed to westward expansion in the United States and the establishment of many cities off the coast and inland.

1422-1506: Christopher Columbus and the natives

savannah28 — 2025-02-20 22:48:21 UTC

Christopher Columbus and his crew approached land and arrived in the Bahamas in October of 1422. Columbus mistreated the Indians. As quoted in Zinn's Chapter 1, the natives “are so naïve and so free with their possessions that no one who has not witnessed them would believe it. When you ask for something they have, they never say no. To the contrary, they offer to share with anyone. . . .” Columbus promised the natives things in return for what they offered him, but did not go through with his word. As time continued, conditions grew more harsh, with Columbus then using people for gold. Leaders gathered several Arawak men, women, and children and put them in pens as if they were animals. This came to be known as the Great Slave Raid of 1495. This resulted in the deaths of several people on their ways to Spain, worsening upon arrival. From 1494 to 1508, 3 million people died on the Hispaniola. Women and children are talked about later in the chapter regarding their importance in society. Women took care of crops and village affairs, while children were taught to become more independent.

1865-1877: The Reconstruction Era

savannah28 — 2025-02-20 22:54:42 UTC

The Reconstruction Era was the period following the American Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln attempted to rebuild the southern states by uniting formerly enslaved people into society, granting them citizenship and voting rights. These attempts were done through the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution. After Lincold was assassinated, President Andrew Johnson took over. There were many disagreements between Johnson and US Congress that ensured the Reconstruction would fail. 1876 marked the effective end of the Reconstruction after a divided presidential election resulted in a compromise that withdrew federal troops from the South. This allowed for the upturn of white supremacy and the weakening of Black civil rights.

1970s: Vietnam War and Scandals

savannah28 — 2025-02-21 17:33:27 UTC

The 1970s in the United States was an era of growing distrust in the government and a shift towards a more conservative government. A big contributor to this distrust was the Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955-1975. The American public thought that this war was morally wrong which also led to anti-war movements throughout the United States. The government tried to cover up some of their involvement in this war such as the Mai Lai Massacre and the Secret bombing of Cambodia. The American public didn't like being shielded from the truth. The Watergate Scandal, which lasted from 1972 to 1974, also occurred, revealing how the government and its officials were abusing power and being bribed by big business. This scandal was also given the utmost attention and coverage in the media, while the scandals of the FBI, CIA, and the events of the Vietnam War were being brushed under the rug.

1943-1985: Black Women at NACA

savannah28 — 2025-02-26 16:14:30 UTC

In 1943, Dorothy Vaughn started working at the Langley Lab in Hampton, Virginia. In 1953, Katherine Johnson was hired for a computer job. Mary Jackson worked for NACA from 1951-1985. As black women in the workforce, their jobs were not always easy. They were incredibly smart and vital to the company and its contribution to space exploration. The field was male dominated, and facilities were still segregated. Their work inspired the movie, "Hidden Figures."

1943-1993: Arthur Ashe

savannah28 — 2025-02-26 16:16:49 UTC

Arthur Ashe is a famous American tennis player from Virginia. As he was growing up, tennis courts and programs were segregated. He won many matches at young ages. He joined the ATA. He went to UCLA for tennis, and played in Wimbledon. He is remembered for his greatness as a black tennis star.

1775-1783: The Revolutionary War

savannah28 — 2025-02-26 16:18:59 UTC

In the war, the 13 colonies of America fought for independence from Great Britain. This was mostly due to extreme taxation. The surrender at Yorktown, General Cornwallis, and the Battle of Chesapeake all occurred in Virginia. The patriots had a triumph against Great Britain and became independent.

1861: Fortress Monroe, End of Slavery in America

savannah28 — 2025-02-26 16:20:39 UTC

War broke out on April 12th, 1861. Virginia abandoned the United States on April 17th, 1861. Enslaved peoples were seeking freedom. There was an ambush on June 10th, 1861. Abraham Lincoln's presidency is often associated with these events and movements.

1861-1865: The Civil War

savannah28 — 2025-02-26 16:22:51 UTC

The civil war was between the Union and Confederate troops. The battle of Shiloh, Peninsula Campaign, sinking in the James, battle of Fredericksburg, and surrender at Appomattox Court House occurred in Virginia, which was split between the Union and Confederacy. This war determined a ton of history in the US.

1930s-1940s: The Dust Bowl

savannah28 — 2025-03-05 16:04:12 UTC

The dust bowl consisted of severe dust storms in the 1930s. The stock market crashed in 1929, bringing about the Great Depression. In 1932 F.D. Roosevelt won the presidential election. August 14, 1935 is considered Black Sunday as it was a horrific dust storm that essentially turned day into night. The dust bowl was caused by both natural and human factors. Humans over-farmed the land in the great plains, damaging the topsoil. This started several soil conservation programs later. In the years leading up to the dust bowl, there was little rain, severe drought, and harsh winds. Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico were the most effected locations.

1959-1964: Prince Edward County, Virginia

savannah28 — 2025-03-05 16:06:54 UTC

In 1959, Prince Edward County did not want to integrate schools. Families were separated for better educations. This caused a huge gap in the education of many students. Black and poor white students went straight to work, or learned in churches or other institutions. Prince Edward Public Schools were closed for 5 years because of the integration issues.

1833: "Address on the Right of Free Suffrage"

savannah28 — 2025-03-26 13:00:24 UTC

In 1833, Seth Luther, an advocate for working peoples, delivered "Address on the Right of Free Suffrage" in Rhode Island. This advocated for constitutional reforms and the right to vote for all, regardless of whether they owned land. This is relevant to the Anti-Renters movements and the conflicts that arose over landlords and land ownership in the early 1830s to late 1840s. Luther anticipated the political philosophies of the Dorr Rebellion, an anti-renter movement not typically found in US History textbooks. This era was a challenging time for the lower class and working class.

1830s: Epidemics - Cholera and Typhoid

savannah28 — 2025-03-26 13:02:57 UTC

There was a Typhoid epidemic in the US in 1837. Five years prior, there was a Cholera epidemic in the US in 1832. During these epidemics and outbreaks, rich people fled cities. This left the poorer people in the diseased cities to die. This came in response to overcrowding cities, and helped boost research in the health and medical fields.

1913: The Federal Reserve System

savannah28 — 2025-04-16 01:38:53 UTC

After an economic panic in 1907, and several failed central bank systems in the US, the Federal Reserve System was created in 1913. This happened along the signing of the Federal Reserve Act under President Woodrow Wilson. The bank is actually decentralized into 12 districts. It's purpose is to help struggling banks continue to lend and pay depositors back, while aiming to keep the economy stable and growing.

1933: Nazi Party Wins Parliamentary Election

savannah28 — 2025-04-16 01:45:39 UTC

Despite achieving a much better result than in the November 1932 election, the Nazis did not do as well as Hitler had hoped. In spite of massive violence and voter intimidation, the Nazis won only 43.9% of the vote, rather than the majority that he had expected. This is an example of modern tyranny as terror management.

1999: Putin Appointed

savannah28 — 2025-04-16 01:47:01 UTC

After serving as the head of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and as Secretary of the Security Council in August 1999, Putin became the head of the government. On December 31st, 1999, following the resignation of President Boris Yeltsin, he was appointed Acting President. This is another example of tyranny and terror.

2002: Putin Seizes Control of Private Television

savannah28 — 2025-04-16 01:49:48 UTC

In 2002, 3 years after his appointment as president, Putin seized control of private television. This was after a ton of legal battles. Putin is an example of modern tyranny as terror management. His control limited the media Russian people had access to.

2025: Gulf of America

savannah28 — 2025-04-17 13:33:52 UTC

In 2025, US President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172, renaming the previous Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The USGS updated the Gulf's name to coincide with the President's Proclamation to recognize February 9, 2025, as the first ever Gulf of America Day. Trump made this decision to "restore American pride."

September 11, 2001: 9/11 Attacks

savannah28 — 2025-04-21 13:39:11 UTC

The 9/11 attacks were a sequence of coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States. They resulted in the deaths of thousands of Americans. These attacks led to the 'War on Terror', and changed the US in many ways. One of the most known attacks was an attack on the World Trade Center in NYC.

2008: Financial Crisis

savannah28 — 2025-04-21 13:44:41 UTC

This was a global economic crisis triggered by the collapse of the housing market in the United States. It led to a severe recession and lasting economic consequences.

2003: Invasion of Iraq

savannah28 — 2025-04-21 13:45:23 UTC

The US-led invasion of Iraq, motivated by the belief in the existence of weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussein's alleged links to terrorism.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic

savannah28 — 2025-04-21 17:13:16 UTC

This was a global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus. There are still outbreaks and new cases currently, though much less than several years ago. It has resulted in millions of deaths, widespread disruption to daily life, and significant economic and social consequences. The pandemic globally effected daily life and society. The high amount of contagiousness resulted in global quarantine.

2001-2021: The War in Afghanistan

savannah28 — 2025-04-21 17:16:30 UTC

The War in Afghanistan, a prolonged conflict lasting from 2001 to 2021, began with the invasion of Afghanistan by the United States and its allies in response to the 9/11 attacks. The stated goal was to dismantle al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, and to prevent Islamist militants from using Afghanistan as a base of operations. The conflict ended with the Taliban regaining control of the country after the withdrawal of international forces, marking the end of the US's longest war.

2022: Russia Invades Ukraine

savannah28 — 2025-04-22 13:24:35 UTC

On the 24th of February, Russian President Putin announced his decision to launch a military operation in Ukraine. Fighting began shortly after. The conflict in Ukraine continues today, and Ukraine has received aide from allies, including the US. There has been many arguments between Putin and Ukraine's leader, Zelensky.

April 21, 2025: Death of Pope Francis

savannah28 — 2025-04-22 13:31:16 UTC

At 88 years old, the Pope has passed away, announced by the Vatican. He reportedly died due to health reasons, including a cerebral stroke, coma, and subsequent irreversible heart failure. He was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State since 2013.

February 18, 2025: Trump: Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization

savannah28 — 2025-04-23 12:50:20 UTC

On the 18th of February, President Trump ordered for the expansion of access to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). He and his administration hope to ensure reliable access to IVF treatment, including by easing unnecessary statutory or regulatory burdens to make IVF treatment drastically more affordable. 1 in 7 couples struggle to conceive naturally. This is part of Trump's plan to encourage a baby boom in the US.

January 6, 2021: White House Riots

savannah28 — 2025-04-23 12:52:36 UTC

On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., was attacked by a mob of supporters of President Donald Trump in an attempted self-coup, two months after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. 5 people were killed. After winning his second election, he pardoned many of the rioters who were sentenced in 2021.

July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence Published

savannah28 — 2025-04-23 13:51:53 UTC

The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America in the original printing, is the founding document of the United States. It was written by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Now, the US celebrates independence day annually on the 4th of July.

1607: Colony of Virginia

savannah28 — 2025-04-23 14:53:42 UTC

The colonization of Virginia began in 1607 with the establishment of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, and lasted until the American Revolutionary War in 1776. Initially sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, the colony faced hardships like disease and famine but eventually thrived due to the cultivation of tobacco and the development of a representative government.

Late 1800s-Mid 1960s: Jim Crow Laws

savannah28 — 2025-04-23 14:57:21 UTC

Jim Crow laws were designed to legally enforce racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans in areas like public accommodations, transportation, education, and social interactions. Jim Crow laws were state and local statutes, primarily enforced in the Southern United States, that mandated racial segregation in various aspects of public life. These laws, named after a fictional minstrel character, were in effect from the late 1800s until the mid-1960s, aiming to maintain white supremacy and marginalize African Americans.

1822-1913: Harriet Tubman

savannah28 — 2025-04-23 15:00:00 UTC

Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and social activist. After escaping slavery, Tubman made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including her family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known collectively as the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved people to escape to freedom. She helped many slaves escape to Canada.

1818-1895: Frederick Douglass

savannah28 — 2025-04-23 15:02:26 UTC

Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. He became one of the most important leaders of the movement for African-American civil rights in the 19th century. He was born in 1818, and lived until 1895. He became well known for his efforts and ideas towards civil rights and justice in the US.