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June 1941

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Resistance
Randolph's March Threat Forces FDR to Sign Executive Order 8802

A. Philip Randolph threatened to march 100,000 Black Americans on Washington to demand equal hiring in the defense industry. Days before the planned march, FDR signed Executive Order 8802, banning discrimination in federal agencies and defense contractors — the first federal civil rights executive action since Reconstruction.

Events

  1. June 25, 1941
    Randolph's March Threat Forces FDR to Sign Executive Order 8802

    A. Philip Randolph threatened to march 100,000 Black Americans on Washington to demand equal hiring in the defense industry. Days before the planned march, FDR signed Executive Order 8802, banning discrimination in federal agencies and defense contractors — the first federal civil rights executive action since Reconstruction.

  2. June 25, 1941
    Fair Employment Practice Committee Established by Executive Order

    Executive Order 8802 created the Fair Employment Practice Committee to investigate discrimination complaints in defense industries. Though underfunded and lacking enforcement power, it marked the first federal anti-discrimination body since Reconstruction. Black workers filed over 7,000 complaints in its first two years.

  3. June 25, 1941
    Executive Order 8802

    Pressured by A. Philip Randolph's threatened march, FDR bans discrimination in defense industries.

Resources from this period

Videos·1

World War II — Crash Course Black American History #31
CrashCourse