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Moments in time is an archive of historical events, people and places.
The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing on 15 September 1963 marked a horrifying chapter in the history of Birmingham, Alabama. This act of terrorism, orchestrated by local members of the Ku Klux Klan, targeted the predominantly African American church, resulting in the deaths of four young girls and leaving a community shattered. The attack not …
The Eleutheran Adventurers were a group of English Puritans and religious independents who sought a place where they could freely practice their faith in the face of religious and political turmoil. This small, determined group would go on to make history as the first Europeans to establish a concerted effort to colonise the Bahamas in …
Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was a groundbreaking figure in American politics, conquering numerous barriers as a woman and an African American. Born on 30 November 1924 in Brooklyn, New York, Chisholm is best known for being the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress and the first woman and African American …
During World War II, a group of African American servicemen, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, broke barriers and defied racial prejudice by becoming the first Black military aviators in the US Army Air Corps. Trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, these brave individuals flew thousands of sorties, demonstrating their skill and courage in …
The Scramble for Africa, also known as the Partition of Africa or the Conquest of Africa, refers to the invasion, annexation, division, and colonisation of most of Africa by seven Western European powers during an era known as New Imperialism (between 1870 and 1914). This period of rapid European colonisation led to a significant shift in the …
Bayard Rustin was an influential civil rights activist, advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., and the main organiser of the 1963 March on Washington. Despite his significant contributions to the movement, Rustin’s story remains less known due to his open homosexuality and past affiliations. Early life and family Bayard Rustin was born on 17 March …
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the leader of India’s non-violent independence movement against British rule. Gandhi is often referred to as Mahatma, which is a Sanskrit term meaning “Great Soul.” The title was bestowed upon him for his unwavering commitment to non-violent resistance, civil rights, and social justice. Gandhi’s early life …
Crispus Attucks was the first American and African American to be killed in the Revolutionary War. Early family life Born into slavery around 1723, Attucks was said to be the son of Prince Yonger, an enslaved African brought to America, and Nancy Attucks, a Natick Indian. Prince Yonger, the father of Crispus, was taken captive …
The Berbice Slave Uprising, a significant slave revolt in Guyana, began on 23 February 1763 and lasted until December of the same year. This event is considered the first major slave revolt in South America and a crucial milestone in Guyana’s anti-colonial struggles. In 1970, when Guyana became a republic, the state declared 23 February …
The 1778 case of Knight v Wedderburn is a significant turning point in the history of slavery and the fight for freedom in Scotland. Joseph Knight, an enslaved man from Guinea, challenged his master, John Wedderburn, in a series of court battles that would ultimately lead to the abolition of personal slavery in Scotland. Early …
Leopold II was the second King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. Born on 9 April 1835 in Brussels, he was the eldest surviving son of Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians, and his second wife, Louise-Marie of Orleans. Although Leopold II played a significant role in the development of the modern …
The Springfield Race Riot occurred between 14 and 16 August 1908. It was a pivotal moment in American history, serving as a catalyst for the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and shaping the future of the civil rights movement in the United States. As a city rich in …
Slavery has been a dark stain on human history, and Britain played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, the involvement of the British monarchy in the slave trade is not as well known. The British involvement in the slave trade began in the late 16th century, with the establishment of the Royal …
The American occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1934 remains a contentious and controversial chapter in history. It was a period marked by political intervention, economic control, and social unrest. Background and motivations Haiti’s strategic importance to the United States dates back to the 19th century when President Andrew Johnson proposed its annexation along with …
Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, also known as James Albert, is said to be the first published black author in Britain. His autobiography, A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, An African Prince, as Related to Himself, was the first slave narrative published in England. Gronniosaw was born in Bornu (now …
The Bristol Bus Boycott landmark event in Black British history. It helped to raise awareness of racial discrimination in Britain and influenced the passing of the Race Relations Act 1965, which made “racial discrimination in public places” unlawful. Background: The Windrush Generation After the Second World War, Britain experienced a labour shortage, so Caribbean colonists …
Roy Hackett, a remarkable figure in the civil rights movement, not only left an indelible mark on the city of Bristol, but he also played a crucial role in shaping its history. Born in Jamaica and later moving to England, his life’s experiences prepared him well for his role in one of Britain’s most significant …
Emperor Haile Selassie ruled Ethiopia between 1930 and 1974. He steered his country into mainstream post-World War II African politics through his modernisation efforts. Ethiopia was admitted to the League of Nations and the United Nations under his leadership. Addis Ababa became the primary centre for the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union). …
Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, has undergone significant political and social changes since its transition to democracy in 1994. From the promulgation of a new constitution to the challenges faced by successive administrations, let’s explore the country’s democratic transformation and the subsequent political challenges it has encountered. Explore Malawi’s history from From ancient …
India was one of the largest and wealthiest empires in the world before the arrival of the British East India Company in the late 16th century. The East India Company used its military strength and financial resources to gradually expand its control over India, eventually colonising the entire country. This colonisation significantly impacted Indian society, …
In 1781 over 100 enslaved Africans were thrown overboard the Zong slave ship to allow the slave owners to collect insurance money on their human commodities. This is one of the most egregious acts of inhumanity in Black history. The slave trade brought vast wealth to British ports and merchants but conditions were horrific. Enslaved …
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is an American white supremacist terrorist hate group founded after the American Civil War to suppress and victimise newly freed African American slaves. Over the decades, their targets have grown to include Native Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Catholics, Jews, atheists and Muslims, as well as immigrants and homosexuals. On 24 …
On 1 July 1962, the Commonwealth Immigrants Act came into effect, ending the automatic right of people of the British Commonwealth and Colonies to settle in the United Kingdom. The Act applied stringent restrictions on the entry of Commonwealth citizens into Britain. Only those with work permits (which were typically only for high-skilled workers, such …
Dido Elizabeth Belle was a unique figure in 18th-century England, a time entrenched in the transatlantic slave trade. Born in 1761 to an enslaved woman named Maria Belle and a British naval officer, Sir John Lindsay, her story tells of her rise from a difficult start to becoming an influential figure in her own right. …
