A. Philip Randolph
1889 – 1979

A. Philip Randolph

Black American civil rights activist, labor unionist, politician (1889-1979)

union membertrade unionistsocialistpolitical activistcivil rights advocate
Born
1889-04-15, Crescent City
Died
1979-05-16
Birthplace state
Florida

Biography

Asa Philip Randolph was an American railwayman, trade unionist and civil rights activist. In 1925, he organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first successful African-American-led labor union. In the early Civil Rights Movement and the Labor Movement, Randolph was a prominent voice. His continuous agitation with the support of fellow labor rights activists against racist labor practices helped lead President Franklin D. Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802 in 1941, banning discrimination in the defense industries during World War II. The group then successfully maintained pressure, so that President Harry S. Truman proposed a new Civil Rights Act and issued Executive Orders 9980 and 9981 in 1948, promoting fair employment and anti-discrimination policies in federal government hiring, and ending racial segregation in the armed services.

Occupation

A. Philip Randolph is recorded as a union member, a trade unionist, a socialist, a political activist, a civil rights advocate and a politician, born in Florida (1889–1979).

Connections to Florida

A. Philip Randolph was born in Crescent City, Florida in 1889. Explore other notable figures from Florida, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
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Frequently asked about A. Philip Randolph

Who was A. Philip Randolph?
A. Philip Randolph was Black American civil rights activist, labor unionist, politician (1889-1979), born in Florida (1889 – 1979).
When and where was A. Philip Randolph born?
A. Philip Randolph was born on 1889-04-15 in Crescent City.
When did A. Philip Randolph die?
A. died on 1979-05-16.
What was A. Philip Randolph known for?
A. Philip Randolph is recorded as a union member, a trade unionist, a socialist, a political activist, a civil rights advocate and a politician.
Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

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