Black History in America: Interactive Timeline and Nominate a Trailblazer

Culture & Change: Black History in America

	American history is not complete without the stories of African-American men and women, from slavery to political leaders. Explore the path of black history with our interactive timeline, and share your opinions on whom you think made a real difference.

A timeline of significant events and Trailblazers, men and women who were pioneers in their field. Help create an Honor Roll for these pioneers and others. (You will need the Flash plug-in to see the timeline. Click here to get the plug-in.

You can nominate someone to be in the Trailblazer Honor Roll. Your Honor Roll nominee should be the first African American to break the color barrier in a field previously open only to whites. You can choose a Trailblazer or someone from your own community, such as your town's first African-American mayor, fire chief, or school principal.

Click to Nominate a Trailblazer


		Below is a list of 32 African-American men and women who changed history. As you explore the interactive timeline look for the star to learn more about them. 1772: James Derham 1821: Thomas L. Jennings 1823: Alexander Twilight 1845: Macon B. Allen 1848: William A. Leidesdorff 1853: Mary Ann Shadd Cary 1864: Rebecca Lee Crumple 1909: Matthew Henson 1935: William Grant Still 1939: Hattie McDaniel 1940: Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. 1947: Jackie Robinson 1950: Ralph Bunche 1950: Gwendolyn Brooks 1955: Marian Anderson 1956: Nat "King" Cole 1957: Althea Gibson 1957: The Little Rock Nine 1960: Ruby Bridges 1962: Mal Goode 1966: Edward Brooke 1967: Thurgood Marshall 1968: Shirley Chisholm 1968: Arthur Ashe 1968: Moneta Sleet, Jr. 1970: Cheryl Adrienne Browne 1971: Bill Pickett 1983: Guion S. Bluford 1989 and 2000: Colin Powell 1992: Reginald Lewis 1993: Toni Morrison 1997: Tiger Woods