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Vermont becomes the first place in the modern day United States to abolish slavery
The Continental Congress enacts the Northwest Ordinance, forbidding slavery in the Northwest Territory
Congress forbids any further importation of slaves to the United States
The Missouri Compromise takes place, effectively ending slavery in most Northern states
Abraham Lincoln proclaims the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves from the Confederacy
The 13th Amendment is adopted, making slavery illegal
The 14th Amendment is adopted, enforcing equal protections under the law
The 15th Amendment is adopted, guaranteeing the right to vote for people of all races
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is created to give African Americans a voice in government and advance justice
The Supreme Court rules that grandfather clauses are unconstitutional in Guinn v. United States
The US Armed Services is integrated by executive order
The Supreme Court rules school segregation unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education
The most well known Civil Rights Act is passed in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement
The Voting Rights Act is passed, preventing some discrimination in voting laws
The Fair Housing Act is passed, making it easier for African Americans to find housing