Alabama
1702: The French establish the first European settlement, called Fort Louis, near present-day Mobile.
1763: The Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the French and Indian War. The French ceded their territory in Alabama to the British.
1813-1814: The Creek War takes place between the Creek Native American tribes and the United States. The Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814 led to a significant U.S. victory.
1819: Alabama becomes the 22nd state of the United States, with its capital initially established in Cahaba and later moved to Tuscaloosa.
1831-1832: The Creek Native Americans are forcibly removed from their lands in Alabama during the Creek Removal, also known as the Trail of Tears.
1861-1865: Alabama joins the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Battles such as the Battle of Mobile Bay and the Battle of Selma take place in the state.
1865: The Civil War ends, and Alabama undergoes Reconstruction under military control.
1875-1954: Alabama experiences a period of racial segregation and Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial discrimination and disenfranchisement of African Americans.
1955-1956: The Montgomery Bus Boycott takes place, led by civil rights activists such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., challenging racial segregation on public buses.
1963: The city of Birmingham becomes a focal point of the Civil Rights Movement with protests and demonstrations against segregation and racial injustice.
1965: The Selma to Montgomery marches occur, advocating for voting rights for African Americans and leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
1968: Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, but his impact and legacy continue to shape the civil rights movement in Alabama and beyond.
Present: Alabama continues to evolve, with a diverse economy that includes industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, aerospace, and healthcare. The state is also known for its college football culture, with the University of Alabama and Auburn University having successful football programs.
This timeline provides a snapshot of key moments in the history of Alabama, from its early European settlement to its involvement in significant historical events and its ongoing progress and challenges in areas such as civil rights and economic development.