The following are documents which have contributed to the shaping of African American history. These documents are a starting point for additional research and discussions that help further our understanding of the history of people of African ancestry in the United States.
Prohibition of Discrimination in the Defense Industry (1941). Reaffirming Policy Of Full Participation In The Defense Program By All Persons, Regardless Of Race, Creed, Color, Or National Origin, And Directing Certain Action In Furtherance Of Said Policy. June 25, 1941 WHEREAS it is the policy … Read More(1941) Executive Order 8802
Franklin D. Roosevelt May 27, 1943 In order to establish a new Committee on Fair Employment Practice, to promote the fullest utilization of all available manpower, and to eliminate discriminatory employment practices, Executive Order No. 8802 of June 25, 1941, as amended by Executive Order … Read More(1943) Executive Order 9346
JOSEPH JAMES, Respondent, v. MARINSHIP CORPORATION (a Corporation) et al., Appellants. COUNSEL: Andersen & Resner, George R. Andersen, Herbert Resner and Thurgood Marshall for Respondent. Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges, Charles J. Janigian and George M. Naus for Appellants. OPINION, GIBSON, C.J. This is an … Read More(1944) James v. Marinship
U.S. Supreme Court SMITH v. ALLWRIGHT, 321 U.S. 649 (1944) 321 U.S. 649 SMITH v. ALLWRIGHT, Election Judge, et al. No. 51. Reargued Jan. 12, 1944. Decided April 3, 1944. As Amended June 12, 1944. Rehearing Denied May 8, 1944. See … Read More(1944) Smith v. Allwright
March 27, 1946, Argued June 3, 1946, Decided MR. JUSTICE REED delivered the opinion of the Court. This appeal brings to this Court the question of the constitutionality of an act of Virginia, which requires all passenger motor vehicle carriers, both interstate and intrastate, to … Read More(1946) Morgan v. The Commonwealth of Virginia
Establishing the President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity In the Armed Forces. WHEREAS it is essential that there be maintained in the armed services of the United States the highest standards of democracy, with equality of treatment and opportunity for all those who … Read More(1948) Executive Order 9981
U.S. Supreme Court Argued Jan. 15, 16, 1948. Decided May 3, 1948. Mr. Chief Justice VINSON delivered the opinion of the Court. These cases present for our consideration questions relating to the validity of court enforcement of private agreements, generally described as restrictive covenants, which … Read More(1948) Shelley v. Kraemer
January 7-8, 1948, Argued January 12, 1948, Decided JUDGES: Vinson, Black, Reed, Frankfurter, Douglas, Murphy, Jackson, Rutledge, Burton OPINION BY: PER CURIAM On January 14, 1946, the petitioner, a Negro, concededly qualified to receive the professional legal education offered by the State, applied for admission … Read More(1948) Sipuel v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma Et. Al.
Washington State Law Against Employment Discrimination [CH. 183.] SESSION LAWS, 1949. CHAPTER, 183 [ S.B.12. ] DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT. AN ACT to prevent and eliminate discrimination in employment against persons because of race, creed, color or national origin; creating in the executive department a state … Read More(1949) Washington State Law Against Employment Discrimination
April 3, 1950, Argued June 5, 1950, Decided MR. JUSTICE BURTON delivered the opinion of the Court. [1] The question here is whether the rules and practices of the Southern Railway Company, which divide each dining car so as to allot ten tables exclusively to … Read More(1950) Henderson v. United States Et. Al.
