Timeline of African-American firsts

African Americans are an ethnic group in the United States.

The first achievements by African Americans in diverse fields have historically marked footholds, often leading to more widespread cultural change.

The shorthand phrase for this is "breaking the color barrier".

[1][2] One prominent example is Jackie Robinson, who became the first African American of the modern era to become a Major League Baseball player in 1947, ending 60 years of racial segregation within the Negro leagues.

[3] 17th century: 1670s 18th century: 1730s–1770s • 1780s–1790s 19th century: 1800s • 1810s • 1820s • 1830s • 1840s • 1850s • 1860s • 1870s • 1880s • 1890s 20th century: 1900s • 1910s • 1920s • 1930s • 1940s • 1950s • 1960s • 1970s • 1980s • 1990s 21st century: 2000s • 2010s • 2020s See also • Notes • References • External links