Equal Justice Initiative
@eji.org
We work to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial injustice. Led by Bryan Stevenson. Creators of @legacysites.eji.org
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Equal Justice Initiative
@eji.org
· Nov 14
Equal Justice Initiative
EJI works to end mass incarceration and racial inequality.
eji.org
EJI is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the U.S., to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. Learn more at eji.org.
On this day in 1908, newly elected Gov. Austin Crothers vowed to disenfranchise all Black Marylanders and “to maintain the political supremacy of the white race.”
Jan. 8, 1908 | Maryland Governor Vows to Disenfranchise Black Voters
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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January 8, 2026 at 2:05 PM
On this day in 1908, newly elected Gov. Austin Crothers vowed to disenfranchise all Black Marylanders and “to maintain the political supremacy of the white race.”
On this day in 1807, a ship named “Fair American” delivered 88 kidnapped Africans to Charleston, South Carolina. 21,000 Africans were trafficked through Charleston in 1807 alone.
Jan. 7, 1807 | Ship Named “Fair American” Delivers 88 Trafficked Africans to Charleston, SC
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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January 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1807, a ship named “Fair American” delivered 88 kidnapped Africans to Charleston, South Carolina. 21,000 Africans were trafficked through Charleston in 1807 alone.
On this day in 1959, Richard and Mildred Loving were convicted of interracial marriage in Virginia, given a one-year suspended sentence, and banished from the state.
Jan. 6, 1959 | Lovings Convicted of Interracial Marriage and Banished From Virginia
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January 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1959, Richard and Mildred Loving were convicted of interracial marriage in Virginia, given a one-year suspended sentence, and banished from the state.
The federal government barred a list of 200 words and phrases from Head Start funding applications, including "disability" and "Black." Many of the banned words are explicitly referenced in the Head Start Act which was signed in 2007.
‘Disability,’ ‘Women,’ ‘Black,’ and ‘Tribal’ Barred From Head Start Grant Applications
Grantees were instructed to remove a list of 200 words from their applications.
eji.org
January 5, 2026 at 11:31 PM
The federal government barred a list of 200 words and phrases from Head Start funding applications, including "disability" and "Black." Many of the banned words are explicitly referenced in the Head Start Act which was signed in 2007.
On this day in 1923, a mob of over 200 white men attacked the Black community in Rosewood, Florida. The white mob killed over 30 Black men, women, and children and burned the town to the ground.
Jan. 5, 1923 | White Mob Destroys Black Community of Rosewood, Florida
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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January 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1923, a mob of over 200 white men attacked the Black community in Rosewood, Florida. The white mob killed over 30 Black men, women, and children and burned the town to the ground.
On this day in 1962, the city of Montgomery announced it would lock bathrooms, plug water fountains, and remove waiting area seats at the municipal airport rather than comply with integration orders.
Jan. 4, 1962 | Montgomery Locks Bathrooms, Plugs Fountains at Airport to Avoid Integration
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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January 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1962, the city of Montgomery announced it would lock bathrooms, plug water fountains, and remove waiting area seats at the municipal airport rather than comply with integration orders.
On this day in 1895, federal authorities imprisoned 19 Hopi leaders at Alcatraz Island on sedition charges for opposing the U.S. government's forced education and assimilation of Indigenous children.
Jan. 3, 1895 | Nineteen Hopi Leaders Imprisoned in Alcatraz
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January 3, 2026 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1895, federal authorities imprisoned 19 Hopi leaders at Alcatraz Island on sedition charges for opposing the U.S. government's forced education and assimilation of Indigenous children.
On this day in 1944, three white men in Florida lynched a Black 15-year-old named Willie James Howard for sending a love note to a white girl.
Jan. 2, 1944 | 15-Year-Old Boy Lynched in Florida for Sending Love Note
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January 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1944, three white men in Florida lynched a Black 15-year-old named Willie James Howard for sending a love note to a white girl.
On this day in 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which made no attempt to free enslaved Black people in non-rebelling states.
Jan. 1, 1863 | Enslavement Only Partially Banned by Emancipation Proclamation
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January 1, 2026 at 2:01 PM
On this day in 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which made no attempt to free enslaved Black people in non-rebelling states.
On this day in 1907, depicting Black men as violent and subhuman, a former U.S. senator argued for the death penalty as punishment for interracial relationships.
Dec. 31, 1907 | Senator Advocates Death Penalty for Black People In Interracial Relationships
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December 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1907, depicting Black men as violent and subhuman, a former U.S. senator argued for the death penalty as punishment for interracial relationships.
On this day in 1767, enslavers trafficked 90 kidnapped Africans through Savannah, Georgia, after subjecting them to a Transatlantic journey that killed at least 20 people.
Dec. 30, 1767 | Trafficking Ship Arrives in Georgia After Voyage That Killed 20 People
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December 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1767, enslavers trafficked 90 kidnapped Africans through Savannah, Georgia, after subjecting them to a Transatlantic journey that killed at least 20 people.
The work of the Equal Justice Initiative is more critical than ever. We remain steadfast in our commitment to stand with the condemned, provide services to the poor, and expand our public education work. Thank you for your support.
Thank You for Supporting Us in 2025
On behalf of the staff of EJI and the thousands of people we assist, thank you.
eji.org
December 29, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The work of the Equal Justice Initiative is more critical than ever. We remain steadfast in our commitment to stand with the condemned, provide services to the poor, and expand our public education work. Thank you for your support.
On this day in 1890, U.S. troops fired at and killed more than 250 Lakota people in a massacre at Wounded Knee; over half were women, children, and elderly tribal members.
Dec. 29, 1890 | U.S. Troops Kill Over 250 Lakota in Massacre at Wounded Knee
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On this day in 1890, U.S. troops fired at and killed more than 250 Lakota people in a massacre at Wounded Knee; over half were women, children, and elderly tribal members.
On this day in 1956, days after the end of an anti-segregation bus boycott, sniper gunshots struck a pregnant Black woman named Rosa Jordan as she rode an integrated bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
Dec. 28, 1956 | After Boycott Ends, Pregnant Black Woman Shot on Montgomery Bus
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1956, days after the end of an anti-segregation bus boycott, sniper gunshots struck a pregnant Black woman named Rosa Jordan as she rode an integrated bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
On this day in 1919, a mob of white men near Franklinton, North Carolina, lynched a 23-year-old Black veteran named Powell Green.
Dec. 27, 1919 | White Mob Lynches Black Veteran Powell Green in North Carolina
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On this day in 1919, a mob of white men near Franklinton, North Carolina, lynched a 23-year-old Black veteran named Powell Green.
On this day in 1862, U.S. forces hanged 38 Dakota men in Minnesota who had been involved in a war between Dakota people and white settlers that began after broken promises to deliver food to local tribes.
Dec. 26, 1862 | U.S. Government Hangs 38 Dakota Men in Minnesota
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December 26, 2025 at 2:02 PM
On this day in 1862, U.S. forces hanged 38 Dakota men in Minnesota who had been involved in a war between Dakota people and white settlers that began after broken promises to deliver food to local tribes.
On this day in 1956, Ku Klux Klan members in Alabama bombed the home of civil rights activist the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth while he was celebrating Christmas with family.
Dec. 25, 1956 | KKK Bombs Home of Alabama Civil Rights Leader the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth
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December 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1956, Ku Klux Klan members in Alabama bombed the home of civil rights activist the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth while he was celebrating Christmas with family.
On this day in 1865, Confederate veterans established the Ku Klux Klan in Pulaski, Tennessee. Devoted to white supremacy, the Klan became America’s most prominent terrorist group.
Dec. 24, 1865 | Confederate Veterans Establish the Ku Klux Klan
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December 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1865, Confederate veterans established the Ku Klux Klan in Pulaski, Tennessee. Devoted to white supremacy, the Klan became America’s most prominent terrorist group.
On this day in 1946, the all-white University of Tennessee men's basketball team forfeited rather than play against Duquesne University's team and its one Black player.
Dec. 23, 1946 | University of TN Basketball Team Refuses to Play Team With Black Player
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December 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1946, the all-white University of Tennessee men's basketball team forfeited rather than play against Duquesne University's team and its one Black player.
On this day in 1853, a sheriff in Tuskegee, Alabama, advertised the planned sale of a 23-year-old enslaved Black man named Bob to settle a lawsuit against Bob’s enslaver.
Dec. 22, 1853 | Alabama Sheriff Advertises Planned Sale of Enslaved Black Man
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December 22, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On this day in 1853, a sheriff in Tuskegee, Alabama, advertised the planned sale of a 23-year-old enslaved Black man named Bob to settle a lawsuit against Bob’s enslaver.
On this day in 1837, Congress renewed and expanded a rule that prohibited any discussion about the abolition of slavery. The rule remained in effect for seven years.
Dec. 21, 1837 | Congress Expands Rule Prohibiting Discussion of the Abolition of Slavery
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December 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1837, Congress renewed and expanded a rule that prohibited any discussion about the abolition of slavery. The rule remained in effect for seven years.
On this day in 1986, white teens brutally beat two young Black men looking for assistance in Queens, New York. One of the Black men was struck and killed by a car while attempting to flee.
Dec. 20, 1986 | White Mob Chases, Kills Young Black Man in Howard Beach, New York
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December 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1986, white teens brutally beat two young Black men looking for assistance in Queens, New York. One of the Black men was struck and killed by a car while attempting to flee.
On this day in 1865, following the emancipation of Black people, South Carolina passed a law requiring labor contracts to refer to white people as "masters" and Black people as "servants."
Dec. 19, 1865 | SC Enacts Law Requiring Contracts to Call White People
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December 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
On this day in 1865, following the emancipation of Black people, South Carolina passed a law requiring labor contracts to refer to white people as "masters" and Black people as "servants."
On December 18, 1952, Georgia Gov. Herman Talmadge announced he would sooner end public education in Georgia than allow Black children to attend school with white children. Gov. Talmadge was not an outlier.
Resistance to Racial Integration
YouTube video by Equal Justice Initiative
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December 18, 2025 at 2:27 PM
On December 18, 1952, Georgia Gov. Herman Talmadge announced he would sooner end public education in Georgia than allow Black children to attend school with white children. Gov. Talmadge was not an outlier.
On this day in 1862, Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant expelled all Jewish people from the Tennessee District, which included parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi, based on antisemitic stereotypes and rumors.
Dec. 17, 1862 | Gen. Grant Expels Jewish People from Tennessee District
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December 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1862, Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant expelled all Jewish people from the Tennessee District, which included parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi, based on antisemitic stereotypes and rumors.