Interactive Learning

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

A Legacy That Changed the Nation

Black history is American history. From the arrival of enslaved Africans at Point Comfort in 1619 to the enduring fight for freedom and equality, the story of African Americans is one of resilience, innovation, and courage. Hampton Roads stands at the crossroads of this history, playing a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s path toward justice. This webpage provides an overview of the key moments and milestones in Black history, connecting our local heritage to the broader story of America.

Timeline contains images from the Library of Congress Prints & Photography Online Catalog (PPOC). If there are any copyright concerns or information corrections needed, please contact us at [email protected].

1619

August 25

Arrival of the First Africans at Point Comfort

The first recorded Africans arrive in English North America aboard the White Lion. These captives, taken from Angola, are traded for supplies, marking the beginning of African American history in the U.S.

1705

Virginia Slave Codes Expand

Virginia’s General Assembly enacts new slave codes, declaring enslaved people as real estate, legalizing harsh punishments, and restricting Black individuals’ ability to testify in court or own property.

1770

March 5

Crispus Attucks Becomes the First Black Martyr of the American Revolution

Crispus Attucks, of African and Native American descent, is the first person killed in the Boston Massacre. His legacy as a freedom fighter is later honored by Norfolk’s Attucks Theatre.

1831

August 21-23

Nat Turner’s Rebellion (Southampton County, near Hampton Roads)

Nat Turner, an enslaved preacher, leads a rebellion that results in the deaths of around 60 white people. The uprising is suppressed, and in response, Virginia passes even stricter laws limiting the rights of free and enslaved Black people.

1831

The Great Dismal Swamp as a Haven for Escaped Enslaved People

Following Nat Turner’s Rebellion, more enslaved individuals seek refuge in the Great Dismal Swamp, joining self-sufficient maroon communities that had existed there for decades.

1861

May 23

The Contraband Decision

Frank Baker, Shepard Mallory, and James Townsend escape to Fort Monroe, seeking asylum. Union General Benjamin Butler refuses to return them to Confederate owners, declaring them “contraband of war.” This decision leads to thousands of enslaved people seeking refuge at the fort.

1863

January 1

Emancipation Proclamation is Read Under the Emancipation Oak

The Emancipation Oak (at what is now Hampton University) becomes a gathering place where freed African Americans hear the first Southern reading of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

1865

End of the Civil War and Ratification of the 13th Amendment

The Civil War ends, leading to the nationwide abolition of slavery with the passage of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865. Newly freed African Americans in Hampton Roads begin establishing communities, schools, and churches.

1868

April 1

Founding of Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute

General Samuel Chapman Armstrong establishes Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) to educate freedmen and Native Americans. The school later produces influential graduates like Booker T. Washington.

1871

The Establishment of Seatack, Virginia Beach’s Historically Black Community

One of the oldest African American communities in Virginia Beach, Seatack is settled by freedmen and their descendants. The community thrives despite segregation and discrimination.

Segregation & Resistance (1896–1954)

1896

May 18

Plessy v. Ferguson Legalizes Segregation

The U.S. Supreme Court rules that racial segregation is constitutional under the “separate but equal” doctrine. This decision leads to decades of legalized segregation in education, housing, and public facilities across Hampton Roads and the nation.

1919

The Attucks Theatre Opens

Named after Crispus Attucks, the first Black martyr of the American Revolution, the Attucks Theatre (Norfolk, Virginia) becomes a major cultural hub for Black artists, hosting legends like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.

1935

The Southern Workman Publishes “The Negro in Virginia”

Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) publishes one of the most comprehensive early studies on African American life in Virginia, produced by the Virginia Writers’ Project.

1940s

Black Naval Workers Fight for Equal Pay

Black workers at major shipyards in Norfolk and Newport News protest unequal wages and discriminatory hiring practices in war industries during WWII.

1948

Executive Order 9981 Begins Military Desegregation

President Harry Truman’s order desegregates the U.S. military, leading to gradual integration at Naval Station Norfolk, Fort Eustis, and other military bases in Hampton Roads.

The Civil Rights Era (1950–1960s)

1951

April 23

Robert R. Moton High School Protest

Students at the historically Black high school in Newport News protest unequal resources compared to white schools, pushing for improved educational conditions.

1954

Brown v. Board of Education Declares School Segregation Unconstitutional

The Supreme Court overturns Plessy v. Ferguson, ruling that separate schools for Black and white students are inherently unequal. Virginia and Hampton Roads resist the ruling, delaying integration.

1958

Virginia’s “Massive Resistance” Shuts Down Public Schools

Virginia Governor J. Lindsay Almond, Jr. orders the closure of Norfolk, Charlottesville, and other city schools rather than allow desegregation, denying education to thousands of Black students.

1959

February 2

The Norfolk 17 Integrate Public Schools

After federal intervention, 17 Black students bravely enter previously all-white schools in Norfolk, facing harassment and resistance but successfully breaking segregation barriers.

1960

Sit-Ins Challenge Segregation

Inspired by Greensboro protests, Black students and activists stage sit-ins at Norfolk and Portsmouth, demanding an end to segregation in public spaces.

1961

Freedom Riders Arrive in Hampton Roads

Activists protesting segregation in interstate travel stop in Hampton Roads, facing violence and arrests. Their efforts lead to federal enforcement of desegregation laws.

1963

Martin Luther King Jr. Speaks at Hampton University

Dr. King delivers an address at Hampton University, rallying students to participate in the fight for civil rights and calling for action against segregation in Virginia.

1963

Protests Lead to the Desegregation of Norfolk’s Waterside Facilities

After years of exclusion, Black citizens gain access to city-owned recreation areas like beaches and pools following organized demonstrations.

1964

Civil Rights Act Passes, Ending Legal Segregation

The landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlaws segregation in public places and bans employment discrimination, leading to gradual enforcement in Hampton Roads.

1965

Voting Rights Act Expands Black Political Participation

The Voting Rights Act removes barriers like literacy tests, empowering Black voters in Hampton Roads and leading to increased political representation.

Empowerment and Innovation (1970s-2010s)

1975

Arthur Ashe Becomes First Black Man to Win Wimbledon

Tennis legend Arthur Ashe, a Virginia native, breaks racial barriers in sports. He frequently visited Hampton Roads to inspire young athletes.

1971

Franklin E. Edmonds Becomes Portsmouth’s First Black City Council Member

Marking progress in political representation, Edmonds helps advocate for Black communities in local government.

1975

The Norfolk State University Marching Band Performs at the Bicentennial Parade

NSU’s “Spartan Legion” gains national recognition, representing Black excellence in music and HBCU culture.

1977

Henry L. Marsh III Becomes Richmond’s First Black Mayor

A Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) graduate, Marsh’s political career advances civil rights and policy reform in Virginia.

1981

Norfolk’s Attucks Theatre Declared a Historic Landmark

Originally opened in 1919 as the “Apollo of the South,” the Attucks Theatre is recognized for its role in Black performing arts.

1986

Jessie Rattley Becomes the First Black & Female Mayor of Newport News

A trailblazer in local politics, Rattley had previously served on Newport News City Council for 16 years.

1987

The Urban League of Hampton Roads is Founded

As an affiliate of the National Urban League, the Urban League of Hampton Roads advances its mission by providing services and programs in education, employment, health, and housing to communities across the region.

1989

L. Douglas Wilder Becomes the First Black Governor of Virginia

Although from Richmond, Wilder’s victory signals statewide progress in Black leadership, influencing policies that impact Hampton Roads.

1992

Hampton University Students Protest Apartheid & Racial Injustice

Student activism continues the civil rights tradition, demonstrating solidarity with global struggles.

1996

Tim Reid Launches New Millennium Studios

Norfolk-born Tim Reid, an acclaimed actor and director, creates a Black-owned film studio in Virginia, providing opportunities for Black creatives.

1997

Norfolk Native Missy Elliott Releases Supa Dupa Fly

Missy Elliott’s debut album revolutionizes hip-hop and R&B, putting Hampton Roads on the global music map.

2001

Ken Wright Becomes the First Black Chairman of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce

Ken Wright makes history as the first Black chairman of the Hampton Roads Chamber, championing Black business growth and economic empowerment in the region.

2006

Alonzo Mourning Wins NBA Championship with the Miami Heat

The Chesapeake native wins his first NBA Championship, while his Alonzo Mourning Charities continues to fund youth education and health programs in Hampton Roads.

Pusha T & Clipse Release Hell Hath No Fury

Virginia Beach’s Pusha T and No Malice drop Hell Hath No Fury, redefining Virginia hip-hop. Pusha T later becomes president of G.O.O.D. Music and a major entrepreneur.

2008

Barack Obama Campaigns in Hampton Roads

Obama’s stops at Norfolk State and Hampton University energize Black political engagement, increasing voter participation and HBCU visibility in national politics.

2010

Dr. L.D. Britt Becomes the First Black President of the American College of Surgeons

A Norfolk native, Dr. Britt pioneers trauma surgery and medical education, advocating for healthcare equity and mentorship nationwide.

2012

Gabby Douglas Wins Olympic Gold

The Virginia Beach gymnast becomes the first Black Olympic all-around champion, breaking barriers in gymnastics and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

2015

Dr. Angela Reddix Founds ARDX

Dr. Angela Reddix launches ARDX, a Black woman-owned healthcare consulting firm, and later creates Envision Lead Grow to mentor young Black female entrepreneurs.

2017

Anthony Stockard Named One of the Top Theatre Educators in the U.S.

Stockard transforms Norfolk State University’s theatre program into a nationally recognized force, opening doors for Black performers on Broadway and in film.

Gallery contains images from the Library of Congress and Unseen Histories. Collected via Unsplash.

The Story Continues

Do you know a story or a leader that deserves to be celebrated? We want to hear from you! This is your opportunity to share local landmarks, historical moments, or nominate contemporary Black leaders who are making an impact in Hampton Roads. Together, let’s honor the legacy of the past while amplifying the voices shaping our future.

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