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 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
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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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
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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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
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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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
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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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
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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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
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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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
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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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
www.youtube.com
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.
Reposted by Equal Justice Initiative
"Reflection of Self," by Lionel Smit at Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, Alabama.
Plan your visit to the Legacy Sites: legacysites.eji.org
📷 Stephen Gabris
Plan your visit to the Legacy Sites: legacysites.eji.org
📷 Stephen Gabris
December 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
"Reflection of Self," by Lionel Smit at Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, Alabama.
Plan your visit to the Legacy Sites: legacysites.eji.org
📷 Stephen Gabris
Plan your visit to the Legacy Sites: legacysites.eji.org
📷 Stephen Gabris
On this day in 1945, the home of the Shorts, the first Black family to live in Fontana, California, erupted in flames, killing Mrs. Short and her two children. Mr. Short later died from his injuries.
Dec. 16, 1945 | Black Family Killed After Refusing to Leave White Neighborhood in California
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On this day in 1945, the home of the Shorts, the first Black family to live in Fontana, California, erupted in flames, killing Mrs. Short and her two children. Mr. Short later died from his injuries.
A.P. Hill took up arms against the U.S. government to further the goals of the Confederacy and maintain slavery. The son of a wealthy white family, slavery surrounded his life. The name of Fort A.P. Hill was reinstated earlier this year.
Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia
A.P. Hill took up arms against the U.S. government.
eji.org
December 16, 2025 at 12:16 AM
A.P. Hill took up arms against the U.S. government to further the goals of the Confederacy and maintain slavery. The son of a wealthy white family, slavery surrounded his life. The name of Fort A.P. Hill was reinstated earlier this year.
On this day in 1897, a mob of 400 white men lynched a Black man named Tom Waller in Lawrence County, Mississippi. They had a large picnic while preparing to hang him.
Dec. 15, 1897 | White Mob of Hundreds Lynches Tom Waller in Mississippi
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December 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1897, a mob of 400 white men lynched a Black man named Tom Waller in Lawrence County, Mississippi. They had a large picnic while preparing to hang him.
Reposted by Equal Justice Initiative
The National Monument to Freedom stands inscribed with over 100,000 names that represent the four million formerly enslaved Black people who won freedom after the Civil War.
Plan your visit: legacysites.eji.org
📷 Stephen Gabris
Plan your visit: legacysites.eji.org
📷 Stephen Gabris
December 14, 2025 at 10:33 PM
The National Monument to Freedom stands inscribed with over 100,000 names that represent the four million formerly enslaved Black people who won freedom after the Civil War.
Plan your visit: legacysites.eji.org
📷 Stephen Gabris
Plan your visit: legacysites.eji.org
📷 Stephen Gabris
On this day in 1948, police wrongfully arrested 17 Black men after two white girls falsely reported that they had been attacked by a Black man. The girls later admitted they had lied.
Dec. 14, 1948 | Fabricated Attack Story Prompts Wrongful Arrest of 17 Black Men in Maryland
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1948, police wrongfully arrested 17 Black men after two white girls falsely reported that they had been attacked by a Black man. The girls later admitted they had lied.
On this day in 1893, a judge in Knoxville, Tennessee, sent an entire multiracial family to jail on felony miscegenation charges.
Dec. 13, 1893 | Tennessee Judge Throws Entire Multiracial Family in Jail for Living Together
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1893, a judge in Knoxville, Tennessee, sent an entire multiracial family to jail on felony miscegenation charges.
The park service removed the two official federal holidays that honor Black history from its 2026 list of free entrance days, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth—and added President Trump's birthday.
National Parks Cancel Free Admission on MLK Day and Juneteenth
President Trump's birthday was added as a free entrance day.
eji.org
December 12, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The park service removed the two official federal holidays that honor Black history from its 2026 list of free entrance days, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth—and added President Trump's birthday.
On this day in 1922, more than 1,000 white people lynched Arthur Young in Perry, Florida. It was the second racial terror lynching in Taylor County in five days. The mob then attacked the Black community, burning homes and community buildings.
Dec. 12, 1922 | White Mob Lynches Arthur Young in Taylor County, Florida
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1922, more than 1,000 white people lynched Arthur Young in Perry, Florida. It was the second racial terror lynching in Taylor County in five days. The mob then attacked the Black community, burning homes and community buildings.
On this day in 1917, the U.S. Army executed 13 Black soldiers who were sentenced to death and denied any right to appeal for defending themselves after a white mob attacked them.
Dec. 11, 1917 | U.S. Army Executes 13 Black Soldiers in Texas
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December 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On this day in 1917, the U.S. Army executed 13 Black soldiers who were sentenced to death and denied any right to appeal for defending themselves after a white mob attacked them.
Fred Gray is a civil rights icon. He began his storied career in 1955 by representing Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks, whose cases sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The newly dedicated Fred D. Gray Boardroom at Elevation celebrates his life and work.
EJI Honors Legendary Civil Rights Lawyer Fred Gray at Elevation
The Fred D. Gray Boardroom celebrates Mr. Gray's life and work.
eji.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Fred Gray is a civil rights icon. He began his storied career in 1955 by representing Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks, whose cases sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The newly dedicated Fred D. Gray Boardroom at Elevation celebrates his life and work.
On this day in 1960, Black football players from a California college were subjected to racial segregation and forced to lodge separately from white teammates while in Florida for the national championship game.
Dec. 10, 1960 | Black College Athletes Banned From 'Mixing' With White People During a Title Game
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1960, Black football players from a California college were subjected to racial segregation and forced to lodge separately from white teammates while in Florida for the national championship game.
On this day in 2014, a report revealed that the CIA tortured Muslim detainees during the “War on Terror." The torture was so dehumanizing that people were likened to “dogs who had been kenneled.”
Dec. 9, 2014 | Senate Releases Report Detailing CIA Torture of Muslim Detainees
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 2014, a report revealed that the CIA tortured Muslim detainees during the “War on Terror." The torture was so dehumanizing that people were likened to “dogs who had been kenneled.”
This morning, EJI announced an expansion of our multi-year relationship with Montgomery Public Schools. Our new "Reading Is Your Superpower" project will see EJI's donation of 11,000 books to MPS first and second graders.
EJI Donates Free Books to Every First and Second Grader in Montgomery
EJI will donate more than 11,000 books.
eji.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:31 AM
This morning, EJI announced an expansion of our multi-year relationship with Montgomery Public Schools. Our new "Reading Is Your Superpower" project will see EJI's donation of 11,000 books to MPS first and second graders.
On this day in 1915, a white mob raped and lynched a Black woman named Cordelia Stevenson in Columbus, Mississippi, and left her naked body hanging by a railroad to terrorize the Black community.
Dec. 8, 1915 | White Mob Rapes and Lynches Cordelia Stevenson Near Columbus, Mississippi
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1915, a white mob raped and lynched a Black woman named Cordelia Stevenson in Columbus, Mississippi, and left her naked body hanging by a railroad to terrorize the Black community.
On this day in 1874, white mobs attacked and killed dozens of Black citizens in Vicksburg, Mississippi, who had organized to help a duly elected Black sheriff regain his office.
Dec. 7, 1874 | Violent White Mob Massacres Black Citizens at Political Meeting in Mississippi
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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December 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1874, white mobs attacked and killed dozens of Black citizens in Vicksburg, Mississippi, who had organized to help a duly elected Black sheriff regain his office.