Skip to main content

The timeline can be navigated by dragging the pointer on the timeline bar, located at the bottom of the screen on the desktop version and on the left of the screen on mobile. To filter by a specific topic, make a selection on the dropdown “Filters” menu or click “Search” to do a keyword search. To learn more, click “Read More” below.

Read More
Front page of Detroit Tribune newspaper with headline that reads "Red cross says refusal of negro blood is U.S. order."
Detroit Tribune front page, December 20, 1941. (Library of Congress).

The American Red Cross blood donation rules call for blood segregation.

1942

RAC
MED
NPIC
SRA
Detroit Tribune front page, December 20, 1941. (Library of Congress).

After first denying Black people the right to donate blood, the American Red Cross establishes a "separate but equal" policy, ruling that blood donations must be matched by race to those receiving the blood.