History of Purple in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 12, 2026

Purple is a color between red and blue. In the RYB color model, it's a secondary color from mixing red and blue. In CMYK printing, it's made with magenta, cyan, and/or black. On screens using RGB, it's a mix of red and blue light. Color theory classifies purple as a cool color.

1920: Women's Suffrage Movement Success

In 1920, the Women's Suffrage movement, which used purple, green, and white as its colors, succeeded in winning the right to vote for women with the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

1936: Quinacridone synthesized

In 1936, quinacridone, a new family of purple and violet synthetic organic pigments, was synthesized, although it was not manufactured until the 1950s.

1952: George VI wears purple in official portrait

In 1952, George VI wore purple in his official portrait, continuing the historic connection of purple with royalty.

1953: Purple at Elizabeth II's coronation

In 1953, purple was prominent in every feature of the coronation of Elizabeth II, from the invitations to the stage design inside Westminster Abbey.

1962: Second Vatican Council

Since the Second Vatican Council of 1962, priests may wear violet vestments, but may still wear black ones, when officiating at funerals.

1967: Jimi Hendrix releases "Purple Haze"

In 1967, Jimi Hendrix released his song "Purple Haze", associating purple with counterculture and psychedelics.

Loading Video...

1968: Deep Purple Formed

In 1968, the English rock band Deep Purple was formed, further associating purple with music and counterculture.

Loading Video...

1984: Prince releases "Purple Rain" album

In 1984, the American musician Prince released the song and album "Purple Rain", featuring purple prominently.

Loading Video...

September 1989: Purple Rain Protest in Cape Town

In September 1989, the Purple Rain Protest against apartheid took place in Cape Town, South Africa, where police used a water cannon with purple dye on demonstrators, leading to the slogan 'The Purple Shall Govern'.

1993: Crayola's Purple Mountain Majesty

In 1993, a Crayola crayon called Purple Mountain Majesty, referencing the lyric from 'America the Beautiful', was first formulated.

1995: Cadbury trademarks purple for chocolates

In 1995, the British chocolate company Cadbury trademarked the color purple for chocolates, as it was Queen Victoria's favorite color.

2000: Cost of Tyrian Purple in 2000

In the year 2000, one gram of Tyrian purple, made from ten thousand mollusks according to the original formula, cost two thousand euros.

2004: Cadbury trademarks purple for chocolates

In 2004, the British chocolate company Cadbury obtained further trademarks on the color purple for chocolates. The validity of these trademarks has been disputed.

2008: Paul Friedander Recreates Tyrian Purple

In 2008, German chemist Paul Friedander attempted to recreate Tyrian purple and needed twelve thousand mollusks to create 1.4 ounces of dye.

2010: Spirit Day Commemoration

In 2010, Spirit Day began as a commemoration to show support for young people bullied because of their sexual orientation, with purple as the symbolic color.