History of Alabama in Timeline
Alabama, located in the Southeastern US, is bordered by Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and Mississippi. It's the 30th largest state by area and the 24th most populous.
1901: Disfranchisement and the Solid South
Following the disfranchisement of Black voters in 1901, Alabama became a part of the "Solid South," a period characterized by the Democratic Party's dominance in Southern politics for nearly a century.
1901: Rural Domination and Lack of Reapportionment in Alabama Legislature
From 1901 onwards, despite significant population shifts within Alabama, the state legislature, dominated by rural interests, refused to reapportion House and Senate seats according to population changes, as required by the state constitution following each decennial census.
1901: Adoption of the 1901 Alabama Constitution
In 1901, Alabama adopted a new state constitution which eventually became known for its length and numerous amendments.
1901: Completion of Segregation and Disenfranchisement Laws
In 1901, Alabama completed the process of segregating and disenfranchising African American residents through provisions in its new constitution.
1901: Disfranchisement of Blacks and the Solid South
In 1901, Alabama enacted a new constitution that disenfranchised most African Americans and many poor white voters, leading to the state's entry into the "Solid South," where the Democratic Party held a near-monopoly on political power.
1901: Last Congressional Redistricting Based on Census Until 1972
Prior to 1972, the last time the Alabama legislature had conducted congressional redistricting based on the decennial census was in 1901. This long period without reapportionment highlighted the resistance to change within the state's political system and the challenges in achieving fair representation for all Alabamians.
1901: New Alabama Constitution Disenfranchises Black Voters
The new 1901 Constitution of Alabama is established, which includes provisions for voter registration that effectively disenfranchises large portions of the population, including nearly all African Americans and Native Americans.
1903: Impact of the 1901 Constitution on Black Voters
By 1903, due to the restrictive voter registration provisions of the 1901 Constitution, only 2,980 African Americans were registered in Alabama, although at least 74,000 were literate. This was a stark contrast to the more than 181,000 African Americans eligible to vote in 1900.
1910: Beginning of the Great Migration
The period between 1910 and 1920 saw the beginning of the Great Migration, a mass exodus of African Americans from the South, including Alabama, to northern and midwestern cities. This migration was fueled by a combination of factors, including continued racial discrimination, lynchings, agricultural depression, and the boll weevil's devastation of cotton crops.
1911: Segregation of Jails
In 1911, Alabama further codified racial segregation by segregating jails.
1913: Construction of Rosenwald Schools Begins
Starting in 1913, the first of 80 Rosenwald Schools, built to provide education for African American children in the South, were erected in Alabama. These schools, funded through a partnership between Julius Rosenwald, a philanthropist, and Booker T. Washington, aimed to address the inequities in educational opportunities for Black students in the segregated South.
1915: Segregation of Hospitals
In 1915, racial segregation in Alabama expanded to include hospitals, further limiting access for African Americans to essential services.
1920: Birmingham's Rapid Growth and Underrepresentation
By 1920, Birmingham, fueled by industrial growth and migration from rural areas, had become the 36th largest city in the United States. However, the city's residents faced underrepresentation in the state legislature, which for decades refused to redraw electoral districts based on population shifts, as mandated by the state constitution.
1920: Impact of the Great Migration on Alabama's Population Growth
By 1920, the effects of the Great Migration were evident in Alabama's demographics. The state's population growth rate nearly halved between 1910 and 1920, reflecting the significant outflow of African Americans seeking better opportunities elsewhere.
September 5, 1925: Record High Temperature
Alabama's highest recorded temperature of 112 °F (44 °C) was reached on September 5, 1925, in Centerville, marking an extreme weather event in the state's history.
1928: Segregation of Public Facilities
In 1928, Alabama enacted further segregation laws, extending the separation of races to toilets, hotels, and restaurants, deepening the divide between Black and white Alabamians.
1929: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Plant in Gadsden
The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company established a large plant in Gadsden, Alabama, in 1929, which has been in operation ever since.
1937: Completion of Rosenwald School Building Program
By 1937, the Rosenwald School building program in Alabama was completed. A total of 387 schools, seven teachers' houses, and several vocational buildings were built, leaving a lasting impact on education in the state.
1940: World War II's Impact on Alabama's Economy
In 1940, on the eve of the United States' entry into World War II, Mobile, Alabama, like many cities across the nation, saw a surge in industrial activity related to wartime production. This led to a significant influx of workers seeking employment opportunities, marking a period of economic transformation for the state.
1941: Disenfranchisement's Impact on White Voters
By 1941, the restrictive voting laws in Alabama, while primarily targeting African Americans, resulted in the disenfranchisement of a slight majority of white citizens as well, with 600,000 whites affected compared to 520,000 African Americans. This unintended consequence highlighted the broad impact of voter suppression tactics.
1941: Curry v. United States Decision
In 1941, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Curry v. United States, focusing on Alabama's excise tax on storage, use, or consumption of tangible personal property.
1943: Mobile's Population Boom During World War II
By 1943, the impact of World War II on Mobile's demographics was evident. Over 89,000 people had moved into the city in just three years, seeking work in the burgeoning war-related industries, highlighting the rapid social and economic changes brought about by the war.
1945: Segregation of Bus Stop Waiting Rooms
By 1945, Alabama's segregation laws reached bus stop waiting rooms, highlighting the pervasive and systematic nature of racial discrimination in the state.
January 1, 1950: Start of Tornado Statistics Record
This date marks the beginning of the period for which the National Climatic Data Center has maintained statistics on F5 and EF5 tornadoes, showing Alabama, alongside Oklahoma and Iowa, experienced the highest number of these devastating tornadoes.
1950: Peak of Steel Industry Employment
In 1950, Alabama's steel industry reached its peak employment with 46,314 jobs.
1954: Brown v. Board of Education Ruling
In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This pivotal decision marked a major turning point in the fight for racial equality in education, although Alabama, like many Southern states, was slow to implement the ruling.
1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott Begins
The Montgomery bus boycott, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement, began in 1955. This year-long protest, sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus, brought national attention to the issue of racial segregation in the South.
1956: Montgomery Bus Boycott Ends
In 1956, after a year of protests and legal challenges, the Montgomery bus boycott ended in victory for the Civil Rights Movement. The boycott led to the desegregation of Montgomery's bus system, marking a significant triumph over Jim Crow laws.
1960: Study Highlights Rural Domination of Alabama Legislature
A 1960 study revealed the extent of rural control over Alabama's political landscape. The study found that a minority comprising about 25% of the state's total population held majority control of the Alabama legislature, underscoring the disparity in political representation between rural and urban areas.
1960: Establishment of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center
In 1960, the establishment of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama took place, intended to boost Alabama's economic growth by developing a local aerospace industry.
1960: Establishment of George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
The George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, a pivotal facility in the Saturn rocket program and space shuttle development, opened in Huntsville in 1960, bolstering the state's technological advancement.
1961: Alabama Legislature's Attempts to Dilute Black Vote
In 1961, amidst growing pressure to address racial discrimination in voting, the Alabama legislature implemented numbered place requirements for local elections, a tactic designed to further dilute the impact of the Black vote.
1961: Freedom Rides Challenge Segregation
The Freedom Rides, a series of protests against segregation on interstate buses in the South, took place in 1961. These rides, organized by civil rights activists, aimed to challenge the continued segregation of interstate travel facilities, despite federal laws prohibiting it.
1961: Continued Refusal to Reapportion Legislature
By 1961, despite decades of population growth and shifts in urban areas, the rural-dominated Alabama legislature remained resistant to reapportioning legislative districts, clinging to power and hindering fair representation for the state's increasingly diverse population.
1962: Supreme Court's Ruling in Baker v. Carr
In 1962, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in the case of Baker v. Carr, establishing the principle of "one man, one vote" as the foundation for both houses of state legislatures. This decision mandated that legislative districts be drawn based on population rather than arbitrary geographical boundaries, aiming to ensure equal representation for all citizens.
1963: New Year's Eve 1963 snowstorm
Alabama experienced a significant snowstorm on New Year's Eve in 1963, a notable event in the state's weather history.
1964: Reynolds v. Sims Decision
In 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court in Reynolds v. Sims implemented the principle of "one man, one vote", requiring that congressional districts be reapportioned based on population.
1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964 Passed
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark piece of legislation outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, was passed by the U.S. Congress. This act marked a significant step forward in the fight for equality, prohibiting segregation in public places and banning employment discrimination.
1964: Supreme Court's Ruling in Reynolds v. Sims
The U.S. Supreme Court, in 1964, further solidified the principle of "one man, one vote" with its ruling in Reynolds v. Sims. This decision reinforced the requirement for state legislative districts to be based on population, emphasizing the importance of fair representation in democratic governance.
1964: Passage of the Civil Rights Act
The federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, marking a significant step forward in the fight for civil rights in Alabama and nationwide.
1964: Legal End of Segregation
While 1964 marked the legal end of segregation in the United States with the passage of the Civil Rights Act, the reality for many African Americans remained unchanged. Jim Crow customs persisted, and true equality remained elusive, as ingrained practices and resistance to change continued to shape daily life.
1965: Passage of Federal Civil Rights Legislation
In 1965, the passage of federal civil rights legislation marked a turning point in the fight for equal rights in Alabama and across the United States. These landmark laws aimed to dismantle the legal barriers that had prevented African Americans from exercising their constitutional rights, including the right to vote.
1965: Selma to Montgomery Marches for Voting Rights
The Selma to Montgomery marches, a series of three protest marches demanding voting rights for African Americans, took place in 1965. These marches, met with violence and brutality from state troopers and local law enforcement, galvanized national support for voting rights and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
1965: Passage of the Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed, aimed at overcoming legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote, a crucial victory in the civil rights movement.
January 30, 1966: Record Low Temperature
On January 30, 1966, New Market, Alabama, experienced the state's record low temperature, plummeting to -27 °F (-33 °C), representing an extreme cold event.
1972: Redistricting for Equal Representation
After a series of federal court cases, Alabama was required to redraw its election districts in 1972 to ensure equal representation, ending decades of rural minority rule in state politics.
1972: Congressional Redistricting Based on Census
In 1972, for the first time since 1901, the Alabama legislature carried out congressional redistricting based on the results of the decennial census. This landmark move, reflecting the growing influence of urban areas and the need for fair representation, aimed to address the long-standing underrepresentation of certain populations in the state.
1973: ATP Birmingham Tennis Tournament Begins
The ATP Birmingham, a World Championship Tennis tournament, was first held in 1973.
1974: 1974 Super Outbreak
The 1974 Super Outbreak, a significant tornado outbreak event, impacted Alabama, contributing to the state's high number of tornado-related fatalities since 1950.
1980: ATP Birmingham Tennis Tournament Concludes
The ATP Birmingham, a World Championship Tennis tournament, concluded in 1980.
1980: 1980 Census Data on English Ancestry
The 1980 census revealed that 1,139,976 individuals in Alabama, out of a total population of 2,824,719, identified as having English ancestry, constituting 41% of the state's population at the time and representing the largest ethnic group.
1982: Implementation of Limited Voting
In 1982, Conecuh County implemented a limited voting system to promote proportional representation, leading to increased election of African Americans and women in local offices.
1984: PGA Championship Held at Shoal Creek
In 1984, Alabama hosted the prestigious PGA Championship at Shoal Creek.
1984: Establishment of Alabama Indian Affairs Commission
In response to growing demands for recognition and an end to discrimination, the Alabama Legislature passed the Davis–Strong Act in 1984, establishing the Alabama Indian Affairs Commission to address the needs and concerns of Native American communities in the state.
1990: PGA Championship Returns to Shoal Creek
The PGA Championship returned to Shoal Creek, Alabama, in 1990.
1993: Growth of Automotive Manufacturing in Alabama
Since 1993, the automotive manufacturing industry has played a crucial role in Alabama's economic growth, creating over 67,800 jobs. The state is home to major automakers such as Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota, along with their suppliers.
1993: 1993 Storm of the Century
The 1993 Storm of the Century brought heavy snowfall and severe weather conditions to Alabama, impacting the state alongside other areas in the eastern United States.
1994: First Republican Court Seat Win
The 1994 general election saw the first Republican, Perry O. Hooper Sr., win a seat on the Alabama court system, challenging the long-standing Democratic hold on judicial positions.
1999: Steve Windom Elected Lieutenant Governor
Steve Windom's election as lieutenant governor in 1999 marked the beginning of his term, which lasted until 2003, making him one of the few GOP lieutenant governors since Reconstruction.
2000: Alabama's High School Graduation Rate
According to U.S. Census data from 2000, Alabama's high school graduation rate stood at 75%, positioning it as the fourth lowest in the United States, trailing behind Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
2000: English Language Use at Home
Data from 2000 showed that 96.1% of Alabama residents aged five and older spoke only English at home, indicating a slight decrease in subsequent years.
2000: Designation of American Indian Heritage Day
In a gesture of recognition and inclusivity, the Alabama state government declared in 2000 that Columbus Day would be jointly celebrated as American Indian Heritage Day, acknowledging the contributions of Native Americans to the state's history and culture.
2001: Installation of Ten Commandments Statue
In 2001, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore installed a statue of the Ten Commandments at the state capitol in Montgomery, sparking controversy over the separation of church and state.
2002: Wetumpka Crater Recognized as Impact Crater
Christian Koeberl, from the Institute of Geochemistry University of Vienna, published research in 2002 confirming the Wetumpka crater in Elmore County as the 157th recognized impact crater on Earth, formed by a meteorite impact millions of years ago.
2002: Court Order for Statue Removal
In 2002, the 11th US Circuit Court ordered the removal of the Ten Commandments statue from the Alabama capitol, citing its violation of the Establishment Clause.
August 2003: Removal of Ten Commandments Statue
Following a court order and public protests, the Ten Commandments statue installed by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore at the Montgomery capitol was removed in August 2003.
2003: End of Steve Windom's Term
Steve Windom's term as lieutenant governor concluded in 2003, marking the end of his tenure.
2004: Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan, a Category 3 hurricane, made landfall in 2004, causing extensive damage exceeding $18 billion and ranking among Alabama's most destructive storms in recent history.
2006: Start of Census Data Collection Period
This date marks the start of the period during which the U.S. Census Bureau collected data on ancestry and ethnicity in Alabama, providing insights into the state's diverse population.
2006: Shift from Agriculture to Other Industries in Alabama
While Alabama's agricultural sector remained significant in 2006, valued at $1.5 billion, it only constituted about one percent of the state's gross domestic product. This marked a shift from the primarily agricultural economy of the previous century. The decline in private farms was attributed to land sales for development, timber, and large-scale farming operations.
2006: Education Funding in Alabama
In the 2006-2007 fiscal year, Alabama allocated $3,775,163,578 for primary and secondary education, reflecting an increase of $444,736,387 from the preceding fiscal year.
May 2007: ThyssenKrupp Steel Plant in Alabama
German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp chose Calvert, Alabama, as the site for a $4.65 billion stainless and carbon steel processing plant in May 2007.
2007: Religious Knowledge and Confidence in Alabama
In 2007, surveys revealed a high level of religious knowledge among Alabamians, with nearly 70% able to identify the four Christian Gospels. Additionally, 92% expressed confidence in the state's churches.
2007: Alabama Legislature Expresses Regret for Slavery
In 2007, the Alabama Legislature passed a resolution expressing "profound regret" for slavery and its lasting impact. The resolution was signed in a symbolic ceremony at the Alabama State Capitol, which once housed the Congress of the Confederate States of America.
2007: Schools Meeting Adequate Yearly Progress
Over 82 percent of Alabama schools successfully achieved adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward student proficiency as per the National No Child Left Behind law in 2007, based on state-determined measures.
2008: Obesity and Health Concerns in Alabama
A 2008 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted a concerning obesity problem in Alabama. Most counties reported an obesity rate exceeding 29% among adults. Additionally, Alabama residents exhibited low levels of physical activity during leisure time and faced a high incidence of adult-onset diabetes.
2008: Aquaculture in Alabama
By 2008, aquaculture, particularly catfish farming, was a significant industry in Alabama, employing around 4,000 people and producing 132 million pounds of catfish.
2008: Non-Agricultural Employment Distribution in Alabama
In 2008, Alabama's non-agricultural employment landscape was diverse, with significant numbers in management, business and financial operations, education, healthcare, sales, and production sectors.
2008: American Religious Identification Survey
The 2008 American Religious Identification Survey provided insights into the religious landscape of Alabama, revealing that 86% of respondents identified as Christian, with 6% being Catholic and 11% reporting no religious affiliation.
2008: Gross State Product of Alabama
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that Alabama's total gross state product in 2008 was $170 billion, translating to $29,411 per capita.
2008: End of Census Data Collection Period
This date marks the end of the period during which the U.S. Census Bureau collected data on ancestry and ethnicity in Alabama, providing insights into the state's diverse population.
2009: Alabama High School Athletic Association Moves State Football Championship Games
In 2009, the Alabama High School Athletic Association moved its state football championship games to Bryant–Denny Stadium and Jordan-Hare Stadium, after previously holding them at Legion Field in Birmingham.
2009: Port of Mobile Ranks High in Tonnage
The Port of Mobile, Alabama's only saltwater port, was ranked 12th in the United States for tons of traffic in 2009.
2010: Republican Supermajority in Alabama
Republicans achieved a significant political milestone in 2010 by gaining control of both chambers of the state legislature for the first time in 136 years and holding all seven statewide elected executive branch offices.
2010: Troy University Enrollment
Troy University held the distinction of being the largest institution in Alabama in 2010, boasting a total enrollment of 29,689 students spread across its four campuses in Troy, Dothan, Montgomery, and Phenix City, in addition to numerous learning sites in other states and countries.
2010: 2010 United States Census
The 2010 United States Census serves as the baseline for comparing Alabama's population growth and demographic changes in the following decade.
2010: Per Capita Income in Alabama
In 2010, the per capita income in Alabama was recorded at $22,984.
2010: Religious Demographics of Alabama
In 2010, the three most prominent religious groups in Alabama were the Southern Baptist Convention, The United Methodist Church, and non-denominational Evangelical Protestants.
2010: Republicans Gain Control of Alabama Legislature
For the first time in 136 years, in 2010, Republicans won control of both houses of the Alabama Legislature, signaling a significant shift in the state's political landscape.
2010: English Language Use at Home
According to data from 2010, a significant majority of Alabama residents (95.1% of those aged five and older) reported speaking only English at home, indicating English's dominance as the primary language of communication within households.
April 2011: Super Outbreak of Tornadoes
In April 2011, a super outbreak of 62 tornadoes, one of the deadliest in the state's history, caused widespread devastation and claimed the lives of 238 people across Alabama.
April 2011: Top Employers in Alabama
Information on the five largest employers in Alabama during this time is not available in the provided context.
August 2011: Democrats Lose Last Court Seat
In August 2011, the resignation of the last Democrat on the bench marked the end of Democratic control over the seats on the Supreme Court of Alabama and the state appellate courts, with all seats being held by Republicans.
2011: Decline of Steel Industry Employment
By 2011, employment in Alabama's steel industry had significantly declined to 14,185 jobs, reflecting a shift in the state's economy.
2011: Growth of Islam in Alabama
By 2011, there was a notable increase in the Muslim population in Alabama, as evidenced by the construction of 31 mosques, largely driven by African-American converts.
2011: School Corporal Punishment in Alabama
During the 2011-2012 school year, government data revealed that 27,260 public school students in Alabama experienced paddling as a form of corporal punishment at least once, a practice generally prohibited in most Western countries.
2011: Minority Population Under Age 1
In 2011, minorities accounted for 46.6% of Alabama's population under the age of one, indicating a trend of increasing diversity among the state's younger generations.
2011: Port of Mobile's Container Terminal Sees Growth
In 2011, the newly expanded container terminal at the Port of Mobile was ranked the 25th busiest in the nation for container traffic.
2011: Kay Ivey Becomes Lieutenant Governor
Kay Ivey's tenure as lieutenant governor commenced in 2011, marking the beginning of her service in this position.
2011: 2011 Super Outbreak
The 2011 Super Outbreak had a devastating impact on Alabama, setting a record for the highest number of tornadoes ever recorded in the state, with a total of 62.
July 2, 2012: Airbus Announces Construction of Assembly Plant
On July 2, 2012, Airbus CEO Fabrice Brégier announced the construction of an Airbus A320 family aircraft assembly plant in Mobile. The $600 million factory at the Brookley Aeroplex will assemble A319, A320, and A321 aircraft.
2012: Last Statewide Democrat Defeated
The last remaining statewide Democrat, a member of the Alabama Public Service Commission, was defeated in 2012, solidifying the Republican Party's control over statewide offices.
2012: Sale of ThyssenKrupp's Stainless Steel Division
ThyssenKrupp sold its stainless steel division, Inoxum, which included the stainless steel portion of the Calvert plant, to Finnish company Outokumpu.
2012: Automobile Production in Alabama
In 2012, the automotive industry continued to drive industrial expansion in Alabama. The state's auto factories, producing eight different models, achieved combined sales of 74,335 vehicles. The top-selling models included the Hyundai Elantra, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, and Honda Ridgeline.
2012: Corporal Punishment Rates
By the end of 2012, Alabama's rate of school corporal punishment was only surpassed by Mississippi and Arkansas, highlighting the prevalence of this practice within the state.
2012: GDP Growth in Alabama
Alabama experienced a 1.2% increase in GDP from the previous year in 2012, with the information sector contributing the most to the growth.
February 1, 2013: Airbus Hires Hoar Construction
On February 1, 2013, Airbus announced that Alabama-based Hoar Construction was hired to oversee the construction of its new aircraft assembly facility in Mobile.
March 2013: Bids for ThyssenKrupp's Calvert Plant
Following the sale of Inoxum, ArcelorMittal, Nippon Steel, and Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional submitted bids for the remaining portion of ThyssenKrupp's Calvert plant.
June 2013: End of Tornado Statistics Record
This date marks the end of the period for which the National Climatic Data Center has maintained statistics on F5 and EF5 tornadoes.
July 2013: Sale of ThyssenKrupp's Calvert Plant to ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel
The remaining portion of ThyssenKrupp's plant in Calvert was sold to ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel in July 2013.
2014: Alabama's Popularity as a Tourist Destination
In 2014, Alabama ranked 14th in the most popular states to visit according to Business Insider.
April 2015: Unemployment Rate in Alabama
In April 2015, Alabama's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 5.8%, slightly higher than the national rate of 5.4%.
September 14, 2015: Airbus Opens Mobile Assembly Plant
On September 14, 2015, Airbus officially opened its aircraft assembly plant in Mobile. The factory covers one million square feet on 53 acres.
2015: Higher Education Institutions in Alabama
As of fall 2015, Alabama had a diverse higher education landscape, encompassing 14 four-year public universities, two-year community colleges, 17 private institutions for undergraduate and graduate studies, four medical schools, two veterinary colleges, and various other specialized schools.
February 2016: Minimum Wage Legislation in Alabama
In February 2016, Alabama passed legislation that prohibited municipalities from establishing their minimum wages. This legislation overturned a Birmingham city ordinance that aimed to raise the minimum wage to $10.10.
2016: University of Alabama Enrollment
In the fall of 2016, the University of Alabama, situated in Tuscaloosa, had the largest single campus with an enrollment of 37,665 students.
April 2017: Removal of 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.
2017: End of Kay Ivey's Term as Lieutenant Governor
Kay Ivey's time as lieutenant governor came to an end in 2017, concluding her service in this role.
2017: UN Observation on Poverty in Alabama
In 2017, United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston visited rural Alabama and expressed concern over the environmental conditions, describing them as worse than any he had encountered in the developed world.
2017: Study on Alabama's Health Insurance Market
In 2017, a 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: Persistence of Racial Disparities in Alabama
By 2017, despite decades of progress in civil rights, significant racial disparities persisted in Alabama. According to The New York Times, a large proportion of the state's African American population resided in cities like Birmingham and Montgomery, while the Black Belt region, encompassing a swathe of predominantly African American counties, continued to grapple with poverty and limited opportunities.
2018: Poverty Rate in Alabama
By 2018, Alabama had the sixth-highest poverty rate among U.S. states.
2018: Life Expectancy in Alabama
In 2018, Alabama's life expectancy was 75.1 years, significantly lower than the national average of 78.7 years. Factors contributing to this lower life expectancy include maternal mortality, suicide, and gun violence.
2018: Top Countries of Origin for Immigrants
In 2018, Mexico, China, India, Germany, and Guatemala were identified as the top countries of origin for immigrants settling in Alabama, indicating the state's increasing ethnic diversity.
2018: Top Events and Attractions in Alabama
In 2018, Mobile's Mardi Gras parade was the state's top event with 892,811 attendees. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville was the top attraction with 849,981 visitors, followed by the Birmingham Zoo with 543,090 visitors.
May 14, 2019: Passage of Human Life Protection Act
On May 14, 2019, Alabama passed the Human Life Protection Act, banning abortion at any stage of pregnancy except when there is a serious health risk.
October 29, 2019: Blocking of Human Life Protection Act
On October 29, 2019, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson blocked Alabama's Human Life Protection Act from taking effect, citing a conflict with Roe v. Wade.
2019: Will Ainsworth Assumes Office
Will Ainsworth's tenure as lieutenant governor began in 2019, marking the start of his service in this position.
April 1, 2020: 2020 United States Census
According to the 2020 United States Census conducted on April 1, 2020, Alabama's population reached 5,024,279, reflecting a 5.12% increase since the previous census.
2020: African American Population in Alabama
As of 2020, Alabama had the fifth-highest percentage of African American residents among U.S. states, comprising 25.8% of the state's population.
2020: Decline of Catfish Industry in Alabama
Between the early 2000s and 2020, Alabama's catfish industry experienced a decline, with the number of farms and processors shrinking. Factors contributing to this decline included rising feed costs, competition from alternative seafood options, the impact of COVID-19 on restaurant sales, disease outbreaks, and fish size issues.
2020: Catfish Industry in Alabama
In 2020, Alabama accounted for one-third of the United States' farm-raised catfish production, with total sales reaching $307 million. However, employment in the industry had decreased to 2,442 workers.
2020: Sales and Excise Taxes in Alabama
In 2020, sales and excise taxes accounted for 38% of all state and local revenue in Alabama. It remained one of the few states to tax groceries at the full state sales tax rate.
June 24, 2022: Human Life Protection Act Takes Effect
On June 24, 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Judge Myron Thompson lifted the injunction on Alabama's Human Life Protection Act, allowing it to take effect.
2022: Adoption of New Alabama Constitution
In 2022, Alabama adopted a new constitution, replacing the one from 1901 which had over 850 amendments and was one of the longest constitutions in the world.
2022: National Assessment of Educational Progress Rankings
In the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NEAP), Alabama secured the 39th position in reading and the 40th position in math among fourth-grade students, highlighting the state's ranking in educational achievement.
2022: HUD's Annual Homeless Assessment Report
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, estimating that there were 3,752 homeless individuals in Alabama, highlighting a social issue requiring attention.
February 2023: Registered Voters in Alabama
As of February 2023, there are 3,707,233 registered voters in Alabama, with 3,318,679 active voters.
2023: Partisan Divide Among Alabama Sheriffs
As of 2023, Alabama's 67 county sheriffs, elected in partisan races, exhibit a partisan divide with 18 Democrats, primarily in urban and more populated counties, and 49 Republicans, mostly in rural counties with lower populations. There are 11 African-American sheriffs in the state.
2023: Support for Same-Sex Marriage in Alabama
The 2023 American Values Atlas by the Public Religion Research Institute revealed that a majority of Alabama residents support same-sex marriage, indicating a shift in public opinion.
2024: U.S. News & World Report Recognizes Four Tier One Universities in Alabama
In 2024, U.S. News & World Report recognized four universities in Alabama as tier one institutions: Auburn University, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), University of Alabama, and University of Alabama in Huntsville.
2024: U.S. News & World Report University Rankings
In the 2024 edition of the U.S. News & World Report, three universities from Alabama earned spots among the top 100 Public Schools in America: Auburn University at 47th, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) at 76th, and the University of Alabama at 91st.