-
slaves
The first African slaves arrive in Virginia. -
slave laws
A federal fugitive slave law is enacted, providing for the return slaves who had escaped and crossed state lines. -
jackie robinson-
Jackie Robinson breaks Major League Baseball's color barrier when he is signed to the Brooklyn Dodgers by Branch Rickey. -
malcom x
Malcolm X becomes a minister of the Nation of Islam. Over the next several years his influence increases until he is one of the two most powerful members of the Black Muslims (the other was its leader, Elijah Muhammad). A black nationalist and separatist movement, the Nation of Islam contends that only blacks can resolve the problems of blacks. -
school board
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans. declares that racial segregation in schools is unconstitutional (May 17). -
go to mixed school
James Meredith becomes the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi (Oct. 1). President Kennedy sends 5,000 federal troops after rioting breaks out. -
black panters
The Black Panthers are founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale (Oct.). -
race riots
The first race riots in decades erupt in south-central Los Angeles after a jury acquits four white police officers for the videotaped beating of African-American Rodney King (April 29). -
colin powell
Colin Powell becomes the first African American U.S. Secretary of State. -
Barack Obama
Sen. Barack Obama, Democrat from Chicago, becomes the first African American to be nominated as a major party nominee for president.
