As the debate over affirmative action appears before the Supreme Court, it might help to look back over the last century to see what important events in race relations have brought us to this point. In terms of racial injustice, it is imperative to study the historical events in terms of what has been learned, to make certain the evils of the past are not repeated. This chronology begins with the Plessy v. Fergussen decision on May 18, 1896 and ends with the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It includes such topics as the American white Imperialism of the early century and the implications of the 2000 census. This book traces a trail through the most important characters, incidents, and ideas that shaped how Americans of varying racial backgrounds have interacted with each other. The more than 200 entries focus on decisions and events that had a national impact.