African American History
Events
The following are short descriptions of major events which have contributed to the shaping of African American history. These encyclopedia entries serve as a starting point for much more inclusive descriptions and discussions that appear in other sources. For additional information please consult the print or website sources cited in the entry.
The 1975 NBA Finals (1975)
The 1975 National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals was the first contest pitting teams led by two African American coaches K.C....
Beyoncé’s Formation Performance at the Super Bowl 50 (2016)
On February 7, 2016, musician Beyoncé Knowles performed her single “Formation” at the Super Bowl 50 halftime show during the...
Super Bowl 41 (2007)
Super Bowl 41 was the first Super Bowl contest pitting teams led by two African American coaches, Tony Dungy, of...
The 1956 Sugar Bowl Football Game Controversy (1956)
The 1956 Sugar Bowl Football Game Controversy stemmed from a college bowl game played between the Georgia Tech University Yellow...
The 1949 Sun Bowl Football Game Controversy
The 1949 Sun Bowl Football Game Controversy involved faculty and student protests at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, in response...
Arkansas Freedom Summer (1965)
The Arkansas Freedom Summer, also known as the Arkansas Summer Project, was a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement...
Louisiana Freedom Summer (1964)
Louisiana Freedom Summer, also known as CORE’s Louisiana Project, was a Civil Rights campaign in Louisiana during the summer of...
Katz Drugstore Sit-In Protests, Des Moines (1948-1949)
The Katz Drugstore Protests in Des Moines, Iowa, began on July 7, 1948, when Edna May Griffin, John Bibbs, Leonard...
The Durham Desegregation Movement (1960-1964)
The Durham Desegregation Movement was a multi-year civil rights campaign in Durham, North Carolina, between 1960 and 1964. On February...
