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1955

Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference

Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference.

1850

The American League of Colored Laborers, the first African American labor union in the United States, is established in

The American League of Colored Laborers, the first African American labor union in the United States, is established in New York City.

1863

American Civil War: Second Battle of Fort Wagner: One of the first formal African American military units, the 54th…

American Civil War: Second Battle of Fort Wagner: One of the first formal African American military units, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, supported by several white regiments, attempts an�

1959

Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green becomes the first African-American to play for the Boston Red Sox, the last team to…

Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green becomes the first African-American to play for the Boston Red Sox, the last team to integrate. He came in as a pinch runner for Vic Wertz and stayed in as shortstop in a 2�

1962

Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

1958

The African Regroupment Party holds its first congress in Cotonou.

The African Regroupment Party holds its first congress in Cotonou.

1874

Patrick Francis Healy became the first African-American inaugurated as president of a predominantly white university,…

Patrick Francis Healy became the first African-American inaugurated as president of a predominantly white university, Georgetown University.

1907

Ordination in Constantinople of Fr. Raphael Morgan, the first African-American Orthodox priest, "Priest-Apostolic" to…

Ordination in Constantinople of Fr. Raphael Morgan, the first African-American Orthodox priest, "Priest-Apostolic" to America and the West Indies.

1963

Civil rights movement: James Meredith becomes the first African American to graduate from the University of Mississippi.

Civil rights movement: James Meredith becomes the first African American to graduate from the University of Mississippi.

1968

James Anderson Jr. posthumously receives the first Medal of Honor to be awarded to an African American U.S. Marine.

James Anderson Jr. posthumously receives the first Medal of Honor to be awarded to an African American U.S. Marine.

1967

Thurgood Marshall is confirmed as the first African American Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Thurgood Marshall is confirmed as the first African American Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

1960

At the Summer Olympics in Rome, Abebe Bikila becomes the first sub-Saharan African to win a gold medal, winning the…

At the Summer Olympics in Rome, Abebe Bikila becomes the first sub-Saharan African to win a gold medal, winning the marathon in bare feet.

1962

An appeals court orders the University of Mississippi to admit James Meredith, the first African-American student…

An appeals court orders the University of Mississippi to admit James Meredith, the first African-American student admitted to the segregated university.

1919

Fritz Pollard becomes the first African American to play professional football for a major team, the Akron Pros.

Fritz Pollard becomes the first African American to play professional football for a major team, the Akron Pros.

1962

James Meredith becomes the first African American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi.

James Meredith becomes the first African American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi.

1967

Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the first African-American justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the first African-American justice of the United States Supreme Court.

1940

Benjamin O. Davis Sr. is named the first African American general in the United States Army.

Benjamin O. Davis Sr. is named the first African American general in the United States Army.

1954

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. becomes the first African-American general in the United States Air Force.

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. becomes the first African-American general in the United States Air Force.

1904

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is founded in Paris

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is founded in Paris.

1939

World War II: Union of South Africa declares war on Germany.

World War II: Union of South Africa declares war on Germany.