History of George Floyd in Timeline

George Floyd, an African-American man, was murdered on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. Floyd's death sparked widespread global protests against police brutality and racial injustice, particularly concerning the treatment of Black people. His final words, "I can't breathe," became a rallying cry for the movement.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1964: Release of Bob Dylan's "Only a Pawn in Their Game"

In 1964, Bob Dylan released the song "Only a Pawn in Their Game", which reflected on the killing of Civil Rights activist Medger Evers. This song served as the base for John Mellencamp's song about George Floyd.

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1968: Footage of clashes in John Mellencamp's "A Pawn in the White Man's Game" Music Video

In August 2020, musician John Mellencamp posted a video on YouTube which included footage of protestors and police clashing violently in 1968. YouTube eventually removed the video, claiming it violated their community guidelines.

1994: Performance as Rapper Big Floyd

Beginning in 1994, George Floyd performed as a rapper using the stage name Big Floyd in the hip-hop group Screwed Up Click.

1995: Return to Houston

In 1995, George Floyd returned to Houston from college in Kingsville, Texas, where he became an automotive customizer and played club basketball.

1995: Transfer to Texas A&M University–Kingsville

In 1995, George Floyd transferred to Texas A&M University–Kingsville, where he also played basketball before dropping out.

2000: Involvement in Presidential Playas

In 2000, George Floyd was involved in the rap group Presidential Playas and worked on their album Block Party.

2004: Drug raid leading to Floyd's criminal conviction

In 2004, Floyd was involved in a drug raid, leading to his criminal conviction. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles declined to issue a posthumous pardon for the incident in 2022.

2004: Conviction for Drug Possession

In 2004, George Floyd was convicted of possessing half a gram of crack cocaine, based on the testimony of police officer Gerald Goines.

2007: Aggravated Robbery Charges

In 2007, George Floyd faced charges for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon after allegedly entering an apartment with five other men, holding a pistol to a woman's stomach, and searching for items to steal.

2009: Sentenced to Prison

In 2009, George Floyd was sentenced to five years in prison as part of a plea deal related to the aggravated robbery charges.

January 2013: Paroled from Prison

In January 2013, George Floyd was paroled after serving time in prison for aggravated robbery.

2014: Move to Minneapolis

In 2014, George Floyd moved to Minneapolis to rebuild his life and find work. He completed a 90-day rehabilitation program and started working various jobs.

May 2019: Detainment by Minneapolis Police

In May 2019, George Floyd was detained by Minneapolis police during a traffic stop. He was found with a bottle of pain pills, but no charges were filed.

2019: Security Work at El Nuevo Rodeo Club

In 2019, George Floyd worked in security at the El Nuevo Rodeo club, where Derek Chauvin also worked off-duty as a security guard.

2019: Investigation of Gerald Goines

In 2019, Gerald Goines' involvement in the Harding Street raid led to Goines being investigated for a pattern of falsifying evidence.

May 25, 2020: Murder of George Floyd

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an African-American man, was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by a white police officer during an arrest. The arrest occurred after a store clerk suspected Floyd of using a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill. Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes, leading to his death. His dying words, "I can't breathe," became a rallying cry.

June 4, 2020: Memorial Service in Minneapolis

On June 4, 2020, a memorial service for George Floyd took place in Minneapolis, with Al Sharpton delivering the eulogy.

August 2020: Release of "A Pawn in the White Man's Game"

In August 2020, musician John Mellencamp released the song "A Pawn in the White Man's Game", a reworking of Bob Dylan's 1964 song "Only a Pawn in Their Game", reflecting on the racial conflicts in the U.S. following George Floyd's murder.

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September 18, 2020: Designation of George Perry Floyd Jr. Place

On September 18, 2020, the Minneapolis City Council approved designating the section of Chicago Avenue between 37th and 39th Streets as George Perry Floyd Jr. Place, with a marker at the intersection with 38th Street where the incident took place.

October 6, 2020: Demand for Justice for George Floyd

On October 6, 2020, Amnesty International delivered a letter with one million signatures to the US Attorney General William Barr, demanding justice for George Floyd. The NAACP also issued a statement supporting the protests.

2020: Job Losses During COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, George Floyd lost both his jobs as a truck driver and bouncer due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Job Loss and Hospitalization

In 2020, George Floyd lost his delivery driver job and his personal financial situation worsened. Also in March 2020, Floyd was hospitalized after overdosing on drugs.

2020: Social Media Tributes

In 2020, social-media-based artists and activists posted tributes to George Floyd, including a digital illustration by Shirien Damra that gained over 3.4 million likes on Instagram. Other tributes were made by Nikkolas Smith, Stormy Nesbit, Dani Coke, Robin Hilkey, and Miriam Mosqueda.

2020: Separation from Courteney Ross

In early 2020, George Floyd and Courteney Ross separated.

March 12, 2021: Settlement Approved by Minneapolis City Council

On March 12, 2021, the Minneapolis city council approved a settlement of $27 million to George Floyd's family after a wrongful death lawsuit.

April 2021: Request for Posthumous Pardon

In April 2021, the district attorney of Harris County, Texas, requested a posthumous pardon for George Floyd's 2004 conviction of possessing half a gram of crack cocaine due to the police officer's lack of credibility.

April 20, 2021: Derek Chauvin convicted on murder and manslaughter counts

On April 20, 2021, Derek Chauvin was convicted on two counts of murder and one count of manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.

May 21, 2021: George Floyd Memorial Foundation donation and George Floyd Jr. Day

On May 21, 2021, Bridgett Floyd gave a $25,000 check from the George Floyd Memorial Foundation to Fayetteville State University for scholarships. On the same day, the city declared May 25 George Floyd Jr. Day.

June 25, 2021: Derek Chauvin sentenced to prison

On June 25, 2021, Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison for the murder of George Floyd. The other three officers at the scene were also later convicted of violating Floyd's civil rights.

October 2021: Recommendation for Posthumous Pardon

In October 2021, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended that George Floyd be posthumously pardoned for his 2004 conviction.

December 2021: Withdrawal of Pardon Recommendation

In December 2021, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles withdrew its recommendation for a posthumous pardon for George Floyd, citing "procedural errors and lack of compliance with board rules".

May 2022: Publication of His Name Is George Floyd

In May 2022, the biography of George Floyd titled "His Name Is George Floyd", written by Washington Post journalists Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa, was published.

2022: Denial of Posthumous Pardon

In 2022, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles declined to issue a posthumous pardon for the 2004 drug raid that led to George Floyd's criminal conviction.