Black History Knowledge — June 25

What happened on this day. These are the June 25 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on.

1941 — Executive Order 8802 bans discrimination in defense industries

On June 25, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802, banning racial and ethnic discrimination in defense industry jobs. The order came after pressure from A. Philip Randolph and other Black labor leaders who threatened a March on Washington for fair employment.

1953 — The Baton Rouge Bus Boycott ends with a compromise

On June 25, 1953, the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott ended after Black organizers accepted a compromise on bus seating. The boycott lasted less than two weeks, but its use of organized carpools and mass community pressure became an important model for the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

2013 — Shelby County v. Holder weakens the Voting Rights Act

On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court decided Shelby County v. Holder, striking down the Voting Rights Act’s coverage formula for federal preclearance. The ruling weakened one of the most important protections against racial voter suppression, especially in states with long histories of discriminating against Black voters.