Category Archives: African-American Civil Rights

Slavery in America abolished as Thirteenth Amendment declared in effect 160 years ago today (Dec 18 1865)


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(Monday, December 18, 1865) — The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery, was declared in effect today by Secretary of State William H. Seward, having been ratified by three-quarters of the states (including those in secession) as of Dec. 6, 1865. Continue reading Slavery in America abolished as Thirteenth Amendment declared in effect 160 years ago today (Dec 18 1865)

Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery ratified 160 years ago today (Dec 6 1865)


Video: '13th Amendment - Decades TV Network'

(Wednesday, December 6, 1865) — The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude (except as punishment for a crime), was ratified today as Georgia became the 27th state to endorse it. Continue reading Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery ratified 160 years ago today (Dec 6 1865)

Rosa Parks arrested after refusing to give bus seat to white man 70 years ago this hour (Dec 1 1955)


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(Thursday, December 1, 1955, around 6 p.m. local time)Rosa Parks, an African-American seamstress, was arrested today after refusing to obey bus driver James F. Blake’s order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, sparking a year-long boycott of the buses by blacks. Continue reading Rosa Parks arrested after refusing to give bus seat to white man 70 years ago this hour (Dec 1 1955)

New version of Ku Klux Klan founded 110 years ago tonight (Nov 25 1915)


Video: 'Rebirth of Hate: The Ku Klux Klan's 1915 Revival | SLICE EXPERTS'

(Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 1915) — A new version of the Ku Klux Klan, targeting blacks, Jews, Catholics and immigrants, was founded tonight by William Joseph Simmons, who proclaimed himself the Imperial Wizard of the group as he staged a cross-burning on Stone Mountain outside Atlanta. Continue reading New version of Ku Klux Klan founded 110 years ago tonight (Nov 25 1915)

Mississippi becomes first Southern state to enact ‘Black Codes’ 160 years ago today (Nov 24 1865)


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(Friday, November 24, 1865) — Mississippi today became the first Southern state to enact laws which came to be known as “Black Codes” aimed at limiting the rights of newly freed blacks. Continue reading Mississippi becomes first Southern state to enact ‘Black Codes’ 160 years ago today (Nov 24 1865)

Civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks becomes first woman to lie in honor in U.S. Capitol Rotunda 20 years ago this hour (Oct 30 2005)


Video: 'Ceremony for lying in state of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks'

(Sunday, October 30, 2005, shortly before 8:00 p.m. EDT) — Civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, who died Oct. 24, 2005, at the age of 92, tonight became the first woman to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Continue reading Civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks becomes first woman to lie in honor in U.S. Capitol Rotunda 20 years ago this hour (Oct 30 2005)

Rosa Parks, founding symbol of Civil Rights Movement, dies in Detroit 20 years ago this hour (Oct 24 2005)


Video: 'Rosa Parks - Mini Bio'

(Monday, October 24, 2005, between 7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT)Rosa Parks, a black seamstress whose refusal to relinquish her seat to a white man on a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama, almost 50 years ago grew into a mythic event that helped touch off the civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s, died today in her apartment on the east side of the Detroit. Continue reading Rosa Parks, founding symbol of Civil Rights Movement, dies in Detroit 20 years ago this hour (Oct 24 2005)

837,000 African-American men gather in Washington for ‘Million Man March’ 30 years ago today (Oct 16 1995)


Video: 'October 16th, 1995: The Million Man March - www.NBCUniversalArchives.com'

(Monday, October 16, 1995, during the Million Man March) — Heeding a call for personal atonement and racial solidarity, hundreds of thousands of African-American men gathered from across the nation in the heart of the capital today to vow stronger leadership in protecting their communities from violence and social despair. Continue reading 837,000 African-American men gather in Washington for ‘Million Man March’ 30 years ago today (Oct 16 1995)

Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess’ opens on Broadway 90 years ago this hour (Oct 10 1935)


Video: 'Porgy and Bess, 1935 silent home movie'

(Thursday, October 10, 1935, 8:10 p.m. EST) — The George Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess, featuring an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers, opened tonight at the Alvin Theatre at 250 West 52nd Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York. Continue reading Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess’ opens on Broadway 90 years ago this hour (Oct 10 1935)