History of Alabama in Timeline
Alabama is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. It ranks as the 30th largest state by area and the 24th most populous among the 50 U.S. states.
1900: African American Voter Eligibility
In 1900, more than 181,000 African Americans were eligible to vote in Alabama.
1901: Segregation and Disenfranchisement Laws Passed
After 1890, a coalition of White Democratic politicians passed laws to segregate and disenfranchise African American residents which was completed in provisions of the 1901 constitution.
1901: Refusal to Reapportion Representation
From 1901 to 1961, the rural-dominated legislature refused to reapportion House and Senate seats based on population.
1901: Failure to Redraw Election Districts
From 1901, the state of Alabama did not redraw election districts as population grew and shifted within the state during urbanization and industrialization of certain areas.
1901: Adoption of the 1901 Constitution
In 1901, Alabama adopted a new constitution that included voter registration provisions designed to disenfranchise African Americans, Native Americans, and poor European Americans through poll taxes and literacy tests.
1901: Previous Redistricting
In 1901, there was a congressional redistricting completed by the legislature.
1901: Failure to Redistrict After the 1901 Constitution
Since the passage of its constitution in 1901, Alabama had not redistricted congressional districts, leading to underrepresentation of urbanized areas.
1901: Alabama Becomes Part of the "Solid South"
With the disfranchisement of Blacks in 1901, the state of Alabama became part of the "Solid South."
1903: Decline in African American Voter Registration
By 1903, only 2,980 African Americans were registered to vote in Alabama, a significant decrease from the over 181,000 eligible voters in 1900, due to the restrictive voter registration policies established in the 1901 constitution.
1910: Start of Great Migration
In 1910, the start of the Great Migration saw African Americans leaving rural Alabama and other southern states due to racial discrimination, lynchings, agricultural depression, and boll weevil infestation.
1911: Segregation of Jails
In 1911, Alabama passed laws to enforce racial segregation, starting with the segregation of jails.
1913: Construction of First Rosenwald Schools
Beginning in 1913, the first 80 Rosenwald Schools were built in Alabama for African American children.
1915: Segregation of Hospitals
In 1915, Alabama further expanded its segregation laws to include hospitals.
1920: Birmingham's Growth
By 1920, Birmingham became the 36th-largest city in the United States due to rapid growth fueled by industrial jobs, earning it the nickname "Magic City".
1920: Population Growth Decline
By 1920, the population growth rate in Alabama had dropped by nearly half due to the Great Migration, as African Americans sought opportunities in northern and midwestern cities.
September 5, 1925: Record High Temperature
On September 5, 1925, Alabama's highest temperature of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in Centerville.
1928: Segregation of Public Accommodations
In 1928, Alabama laws were expanded to enforce racial segregation of public accommodations such as toilets, hotels, and restaurants.
1929: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Plant Opens
In 1929, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company opened a large plant in Gadsden, Alabama. This plant has been a significant employer in the area, currently employing approximately 1,400 people.
1937: Completion of Rosenwald School Project
By 1937, a total of 387 Rosenwald schools, seven teachers' houses, and several vocational buildings had been completed for African American children in Alabama.
1940: Influx of Workers into Mobile
In 1940, workers poured into the largest cities in the state for better jobs and a higher standard of living, Between 1940 and 1943, more than 89,000 people moved into Mobile to work for war-related industries.
1941: Whites Disenfranchisement Number Exceeds Blacks
By 1941 more Whites than Blacks had been disenfranchised: 600,000 to 520,000.
1941: White Majority Disenfranchised
By 1941, poll taxes and other voter restrictions resulted in the disenfranchisement of 600,000 whites versus 520,000 African Americans in Alabama.
1941: Curry v United States Ruling
In 1941, the U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling regarding an Alabama excise tax in the case of Curry v United States.
1943: Population Increase in Mobile
By 1943, more than 89,000 people had moved into Mobile to work for war-related industries, contributing to a massive influx of workers into the city.
1945: Segregation of Bus Stop Waiting Rooms
In 1945, Alabama's segregation laws were expanded to include bus stop waiting rooms.
1954: Brown v. Board of Education Ruling
In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that public schools had to be desegregated, though Alabama was slow to comply.
1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott
In 1955, the Montgomery bus boycott began as a key event in the civil rights movement in Alabama.
1956: Montgomery Bus Boycott Continuation
In 1956, the Montgomery bus boycott continued until desegregation of the buses.
1960: Establishment of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
In 1960, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center was established in Huntsville, Alabama. This event significantly boosted Alabama's economic growth by fostering the development of a local aerospace industry.
1960: Rural Domination Study
In 1960, a study noted that rural domination in Alabama's legislature resulted in a minority of about 25% of the state population controlling the legislature.
1960: Opening of Marshall Space Flight Center
In 1960, the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center opened in Huntsville, benefiting Alabama through the development of the Saturn rocket program and the space shuttle.
1961: Rural Domination of Legislature
Despite population changes, in 1961 the rural-dominated legislature refused to reapportion House and Senate seats based on population, maintaining political and economic power in agricultural areas.
1961: Dilution of the Black Vote
In 1961, the Alabama legislature intentionally diluted the effect of the black vote by instituting numbered place requirements for local elections.
1961: Freedom Rides in Alabama
In 1961, the Freedom Rides, a series of civil rights protests, occurred in Alabama as part of the broader civil rights movement.
1962: Baker v. Carr Supreme Court Case
In 1962, the United States Supreme Court case of Baker v. Carr established the principle of "one man, one vote," requiring state legislatures to base districts on population.
1963: New Year's Eve 1963 Snowstorm
In 1963, Alabama experienced a significant snowfall event known as the New Year's Eve 1963 snowstorm.
1964: Baker v. Carr Decision Impact
In 1964, United States Supreme Court decisions in Baker v. Carr required that both houses have districts established on the basis of population, and redistricted after each census, to implement the principle of "one man, one vote".
1964: End of Legal Segregation
In 1964, legal segregation ended in the states, though Jim Crow customs often continued until challenged in court.
1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964
In 1964, the U.S. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was influenced by events in Alabama such as the Montgomery bus boycott (1955-1956), Freedom Rides (1961), and Selma to Montgomery marches (1965).
1964: Reynolds v. Sims Decision
In 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims mandated that both houses of bicameral state legislatures had to be apportioned by population, affecting Alabama's congressional districts.
1964: Reynolds v. Sims Supreme Court Case
In 1964, the United States Supreme Court case of Reynolds v. Sims reinforced the "one man, one vote" principle for both houses of state legislatures, mandating that districts be based on population rather than geographic counties.
1965: Passage of Federal Civil Rights Legislation
In 1965, federal civil rights legislation was passed to enforce the constitutional rights of African Americans as citizens, effectively ending their exclusion from the political system in Alabama.
1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965
In 1965, the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by the U.S. Congress.
January 30, 1966: Record Low Temperature
On January 30, 1966, Alabama's record low temperature of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in New Market.
1972: Federal Court Cases Required Redistricting
In 1972, a series of federal court cases required redistricting in Alabama to meet equal representation.
1972: Congressional Redistricting
In 1972, for the first time since 1901, the legislature completed congressional redistricting based on the decennial census, benefiting urban areas and underrepresented populations.
1973: ATP Birmingham Tournament
In 1973, the ATP Birmingham, a World Championship Tennis tournament, was held.
1973: Constitutional Amendment Regarding Home Rule
In 1973, the Alabama Constitutional Commission recommended a constitutional amendment establishing home rule for counties; however, the state legislature refused to pass it, retaining power over local governments.
1973: Roe v Wade Supreme Court Case
In 1973, the Roe v Wade Supreme Court case was decided.
1974: 1974 Super Outbreak
In 1974, Alabama was affected by the 1974 Super Outbreak.
1980: ATP Birmingham Tournament
In 1980, the ATP Birmingham, a World Championship Tennis tournament, was held.
1980: English Ancestry in Alabama
In the 1980 census, 1,139,976 people in Alabama cited English ancestry, making them 41% of the state's population at the time.
1982: Limited Voting Tested in Conecuh County
In 1982, limited voting was first tested in Conecuh County, Alabama, as a form of proportional representation.
1984: PGA Championship at Shoal Creek
In 1984, Alabama hosted the PGA Championship at Shoal Creek.
1984: Establishment of Alabama Indian Affairs Commission
In 1984, the Alabama state legislature established the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission under the Davis–Strong Act.
1990: PGA Championship at Shoal Creek
In 1990, Alabama hosted the PGA Championship at Shoal Creek.
1993: 1993 Storm of the Century
In 1993, Alabama was affected by the 1993 Storm of the Century, a major winter weather event.
1993: Growth of Automotive Manufacturing in Alabama
Since 1993, Alabama's expanding automotive manufacturing industry has generated more than 67,800 new jobs in the state.
1994: Republican Wins First Court Seat
In the 1994 general election, Republican Perry O. Hooper Sr. won a court seat, marking a significant shift as it was the first time a Republican held any of the court seats.
1999: Steve Windom as Lieutenant Governor
In 1999, Steve Windom served as lieutenant governor.
2000: Alabama's High School Graduation Rate
According to U.S. Census data from 2000, Alabama's high school graduation rate was 75%, the fourth lowest in the U.S.
2000: Joint Celebration of Columbus Day and American Indian Heritage Day
In 2000, the state government designated Columbus Day to be jointly celebrated as American Indian Heritage Day.
2001: Ten Commandments Statue Installation
In 2001, Alabama Supreme Court chief justice Roy Moore installed a statue of the Ten Commandments in the capitol in Montgomery.
2002: Court Order for Statue Removal
In 2002, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court ordered the removal of the Ten Commandments statue installed by Roy Moore, leading to protests.
August 2003: Removal of the Ten Commandments Statue
In August 2003, the Ten Commandments monument was removed from the capitol building in Montgomery, Alabama, following a court order.
2003: Steve Windom Ends Term as Lieutenant Governor
In 2003, Steve Windom's term as lieutenant governor ended.
2004: Hurricane Ivan
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan struck Alabama as a category 3 storm, causing over $18 billion in damage and becoming one of the most destructive storms in the state's modern history.
2006: Largest Ancestry Groups in Alabama
Based on 2006-2008 U.S. census data, the largest reported ancestry groups in Alabama were American, Irish, English, German, and Scots-Irish.
2006: Value of Crop and Animal Production in Alabama
By 2006, crop and animal production in Alabama was valued at $1.5 billion, representing about one percent of the state's gross domestic product.
2006: Alabama Appropriates Funds for Education
In FY 2006, Alabama appropriated funds for primary and secondary education.
May 2007: ThyssenKrupp Steel Facility Selection
In May 2007, German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp selected Calvert in Mobile County for a 4.65 billion combined stainless and carbon steel processing facility.
2007: Alabama Schools Make Adequate Yearly Progress
In 2007, over 82% of schools in Alabama made adequate yearly progress toward student proficiency under the No Child Left Behind law.
2007: Alabama Legislature Expresses Regret Over Slavery
In 2007, the Alabama Legislature passed and the governor signed a resolution expressing "profound regret" over slavery and its lingering impact.
2007: Alabamians' Understanding of Christian Gospels
In a 2007 survey, nearly 70% of respondents in Alabama could name all four of the Christian Gospels. Also, 92% of Alabamians reported having at least some confidence in churches in the state.
2008: Obesity in Alabama
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study in 2008 showed that obesity in Alabama is a problem, with most counties having more than 29% of adults obese.
2008: Alabama Gross State Product
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the 2008 total gross state product for Alabama was $170 billion, or $29,411 per capita.
2008: Largest Ancestry Groups in Alabama
Based on 2006-2008 U.S. census data, the largest reported ancestry groups in Alabama were American, Irish, English, German, and Scots-Irish.
2008: Employment in Alabama's Catfish Industry
By 2008, approximately 4,000 people in Alabama were employed by the catfish industry, producing 132 million pounds of catfish.
2008: Non-Agricultural Employment in Alabama
In 2008, non-agricultural employment in Alabama covered a wide range of sectors, including management, business, computer-related fields, architecture, engineering, sciences, social services, legal occupations, education, media, healthcare, law enforcement, food preparation, maintenance, personal care, sales, administration, farming, construction, production, and transportation.
2008: Religious Identification in Alabama
In the 2008 American Religious Identification Survey, 86% of Alabama respondents reported their religion as Christian, including 6% Catholic, with 11% as having no religion.
2009: AHSAA Championship Games
In 2009, Bryant-Denny Stadium and Jordan-Hare Stadium became the homes of the Alabama High School Athletic Association state football championship games.
2009: Port of Mobile Ranking
In 2009, the Port of Mobile was ranked 12th by tons of traffic in the United States.
2010: Municipalities in Alabama
As of 2010, Alabama contained 461 municipalities, comprising 174 cities and 287 towns, housing 60.4% of the state's population.
2010: Largest Denominational Groups in Alabama
As of 2010, the three largest denominational groups in Alabama are the Southern Baptist Convention, The United Methodist Church, and non-denominational Evangelical Protestant.
2010: Republicans Gain Control of State Legislature
In 2010, Republicans took large majorities of both chambers of the Alabama state legislature, giving them control of that body for the first time in 136 years.
2010: Troy University Enrollment
In 2010, Troy University was the largest institution in Alabama, with an enrollment of 29,689 students across four Alabama campuses.
2010: Alabama Population Census
In 2010, the United States census was conducted, serving as a benchmark for future population changes in Alabama.
2010: Per Capita Income in Alabama
In 2010, the per capita income for the state of Alabama was $22,984.
April 2011: Super Outbreak of Tornadoes
In April 2011, a super outbreak of 62 tornadoes hit Alabama, resulting in 238 fatalities and widespread devastation.
April 2011: Largest Employers in Alabama
In April 2011, the five employers that employed the most employees in Alabama were not specified in the text.
August 2011: Democrats Lose Last Court Seat
In August 2011, the Democrats lost the last of the nineteen court seats with the resignation of the last Democrat on the bench.
2011: Next 20 Largest Employers in Alabama
As of 2011, the next twenty largest employers in Alabama were not specified in the text.
2011: Minority Population Under Age 1 in Alabama
In 2011, 46.6% of Alabama's population younger than age 1 were minorities.
2011: 2011 Super Outbreak
In 2011, Alabama was devastated by the 2011 Super Outbreak, which produced a record amount of tornadoes in the state.
2011: Kay Ivey as Lieutenant Governor
In 2011, Kay Ivey served as lieutenant governor.
2011: School Corporal Punishment
In 2011, government data showed that 27,260 public school students in Alabama were paddled at least one time as a form of school corporal punishment.
2011: Port of Mobile Container Terminal
In 2011, the newly expanded container terminal at the Port of Mobile was ranked as the 25th busiest for container traffic in the nation.
2011: Increase in Mosques in Alabama
Muslims have been increasing in Alabama, with 31 mosques built by 2011, many by African-American converts.
July 2, 2012: Airbus Announces A320 Assembly Plant in Mobile
On July 2, 2012, Airbus formally announced the construction of an Airbus A320 family aircraft assembly plant in Mobile, Alabama, with a $600 million investment at the Brookley Aeroplex.
2012: Increase in Alabama GDP
Alabama's 2012 GDP increased 1.2% from the previous year, with the single largest increase coming in the area of information.
2012: Net Migration Increase in Alabama
In 2012, Alabama saw a net increase of 31,180 people due to immigration from outside the U.S. and a net gain of 73,811 people from migration within the country.
2012: Sale of ThyssenKrupp's Stainless Steel Division
In 2012, ThyssenKrupp's stainless steel division, Inoxum, including the stainless portion of the Calvert plant, was sold to Finnish stainless steel company Outokumpu.
2012: Automaker Expansion and Sales in Alabama
In 2012, automakers accounted for approximately a third of the industrial expansion in Alabama. The eight models produced at the state's auto factories totaled combined sales of 74,335 vehicles.
2012: School Corporal Punishment
In 2012, government data showed that 27,260 public school students in Alabama were paddled at least one time as a form of school corporal punishment.
2012: Last Statewide Democrat Defeated
In 2012, the last remaining statewide Democrat, who served on the Alabama Public Service Commission, was defeated.
February 1, 2013: Hoar Construction Hired for Airbus Plant
On February 1, 2013, Airbus hired Alabama-based Hoar Construction to oversee the construction of its A320 family aircraft assembly plant in Mobile.
March 2013: Bids for Remaining ThyssenKrupp Plant
In March 2013, final bids were submitted by ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel for $1.6 billion for the remaining portion of the ThyssenKrupp plant in Alabama.
July 2013: Sale of ThyssenKrupp Plant
In July 2013, the ThyssenKrupp plant in Calvert, Alabama was sold to ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel.
2014: Alabama Ranks 14th in Popularity for Tourism
In 2014, Alabama ranked 14th among the most popular states to visit, according to Business Insider.
April 2015: Alabama Unemployment Rate
In April 2015, Alabama's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.8%, compared to a nationwide rate of 5.4%.
September 14, 2015: Airbus Assembly Plant Officially Opens
On September 14, 2015, the Airbus assembly plant in Mobile, Alabama, officially opened, covering one million square feet on 53 acres.
2015: Higher Education Programs
As of the fall of 2015, Alabama has four medical schools: UAB Heersink School of Medicine, University of South Alabama and Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine—Auburn Campus.
February 2016: Alabama Minimum Wage Legislation
In February 2016, Alabama passed legislation preventing municipalities from setting a minimum wage, effectively overriding a Birmingham city ordinance that would have raised it to $10.10.
2016: University Enrollment
In the fall of 2016, the University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa, had the largest single campus enrollment in the state with 37,665 students.
April 2017: Alabama Ends Judicial Override in Death Penalty Cases
In April 2017, Alabama removed the judicial authority that allowed judges to override jury decisions in death penalty cases, ending the practice of judges overturning sentences of life imprisonment without parole.
2017: Alabama Health Insurance Market Competitiveness Study
A 2017 study found that Alabama had the least competitive health insurance market in the country, with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama holding an 84% market share.
2017: African American Populations in Alabama
According to The New York Times, by 2017, many of Alabama's African Americans were living in cities such as Birmingham and Montgomery, with the Black Belt region across central Alabama being home to largely poor, predominantly African-American counties.
2017: Airbus Plant Production Target
By 2017, the Airbus assembly plant in Mobile was planned to produce up to 50 aircraft per year.
2017: Kay Ivey Ends Term as Lieutenant Governor
In 2017, Kay Ivey's term as lieutenant governor ended.
2017: UN Special Rapporteur Visit to Alabama
In 2017, United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston toured parts of rural Alabama and observed environmental conditions he said were poorer than anywhere he had seen in the developed world.
2017: Alabama Tourism Generates $14.3 Billion
In 2017, an estimated 26 million tourists visited Alabama and spent $14.3 billion, supporting 186,900 jobs and generating $589 million from international tourists.
2018: Alabama Poverty Rate
As of 2018, Alabama has the sixth-highest poverty rate among states in the U.S.
2018: Mobile Mardi Gras Parade and Top Attractions
In 2018, Mobile's Mardi Gras parade attracted 892,811 tourists, making it the state's top event. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville was the top attraction with 849,981 visitors.
2018: Life Expectancy in Alabama
In 2018, life expectancy in Alabama was 75.1 years, below the national average of 78.7 years, and the third-lowest in the country.
May 14, 2019: Alabama Passes the Human Life Protection Act
On May 14, 2019, Alabama passed the Human Life Protection Act, which bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy unless there is a "serious health risk", with no exceptions for rape or incest.
October 29, 2019: Human Life Protection Act Blocked
On October 29, 2019, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson blocked the Human Life Protection Act from taking effect due to its conflict with Roe v. Wade.
2019: Will Ainsworth as Lieutenant Governor
In 2019, Will Ainsworth became the lieutenant governor.
2020: Population Density in Alabama
As of 2020, Alabama had a population density of 99.2 people per square mile, with most of the population residing in North, Central, and South Alabama.
2020: Alabama's African American Population
As of 2020, Alabama has the 5th-highest black and African American population among U.S. states at 25.8%.
2020: Alabama Racial and Ethnic Population
By the 2020 census, Alabama's racial and ethnic population was 66.5% non-Hispanic white, 26.9% African American, with a growing Hispanic and Latino population of 5.3%.
2020: Decline of Alabama's Catfish Industry
From the early 2000s to 2020, the Alabama catfish industry declined due to increased feed prices, catfish alternatives, COVID-19's impact, disease, and fish size.
2020: Identified Native American Population in Alabama
In 2020, 33,625 Alabamians identified as being Native American alone, and 97,405 did in combination with one or more other races.
2020: Catfish Production and Sales in Alabama
In 2020, Alabama produced about 1/3 of the United States' farm-raised catfish, with total sales equaling $307 million. However, total employment of Alabamians in the catfish industry fell to 2,442.
2020: Sales and Excise Taxes in Alabama
In 2020, sales and excise taxes in Alabama accounted for 38% of all state and local revenue.
2020: Alabama Population Increase
In 2020, the United States census recorded Alabama's population at 5,024,279, marking an increase of 244,543 or 5.12% since the 2010 census. This included a natural increase and net migration into the state.
2021: Spanish Speakers in Alabama
In a 2021 study by the American University Washington College of Law, Spanish was spoken by 156,656 residents of Alabama.
June 24, 2022: Injunction Lifted on Human Life Protection Act
On June 24, 2022, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Judge Thompson lifted the injunction on Alabama's Human Life Protection Act, allowing the law to go into effect.
2022: Homeless Population in Alabama
According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 3,752 homeless people in Alabama.
2022: Alabama Ranks in Reading and Math
According to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NEAP), Alabama ranked 39 in reading and 40 in math among fourth-grade students in the rankings from 2022.
2022: English Speakers in Alabama
According to the 2022 American Community Survey's estimates, approximately 94% of Alabamans speak English as their sole language.
2022: Alabama Adopts New Constitution
In 2022, Alabama adopted a new constitution, which serves as the foundational document for the state's government.
February 2023: Registered Voters in Alabama
As of February 2023, there are 3,707,233 registered voters in Alabama, with 3,318,679 active.
2023: Christian Population in Alabama
According to a 2023 Public Religion Research Institute survey, an estimated 80% of the adult population in Alabama were Christian.
2023: Party Affiliations of County Sheriffs
As of 2023, Alabama's county sheriffs consist of 18 Democrats and 49 Republicans.
2023: Majority Support for Same-Sex Marriage
In 2023, the American Values Atlas found that a majority of Alabama residents support same-sex marriage.
2024: Tier One Universities
According to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report, Alabama had four tier one universities: Auburn University, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), University of Alabama and University of Alabama in Huntsville.
2024: University Rankings
According to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report, Alabama had three universities ranked in the top 100 Public Schools in America: Auburn University at 47, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) at 76, and University of Alabama at 91.
