1893
![](anita-hemmings.png)
WHITE
Anita Hemmings
In 1893, Vassar College admits Anita Hemmings as a white woman. (As a Black woman, Hemmings surely would have been denied admission to Vassar in 1893. The college did not knowingly admit a Black woman until 1944). (Read more)
1896
![](still-searching.jpg)
NOT WHITE
Homer Plessy
In 1896, a person with 7/8 "white blood" and 1/8 "black blood" is determined to be not white. (Read more)
1908
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NOT WHITE
John Svan
In 1908, a Minnesota District Attorney rejects a citizenship application for John Svan and 15 other Finns on the grounds that "Finns are Mongolian" and therefore determined to be not white. (Read more)
1908
![](still-searching.jpg)
WHITE
John Svan
In 1908, (two weeks after Svan's original petition), Finns determined to be white by a Minnesota court. (Read more)
1909
![](bhagat-singh-thind.png)
NOT WHITE
Bhagat Singh Thind
In 1909, Asian Indians are determined to be not white. (Read more)
1909
![](george-shishim.png)
NOT WHITE
George Shishim
In 1909, George Shishim's Syrian identity is determined tantamount to being not white. (Read more)
1909
![](george-shishim.png)
WHITE
George Shishim
In 1909, (three weeks after the Naturalization Examiners's original petition), Shishim's Syrian identity is determined not incompatible with being white. (Read more)
1909
![](costa-najour.png)
WHITE
Costa Najour
In 1909, during the case of Costa Najour, Syrians are determined to be white. (Read more)
1910
![](bhagat-singh-thind.png)
WHITE
Bhagat Singh Thind
In 1910, Asian Indians are determined to be white. (Read more)
1913
![](costa-najour.png)
NOT WHITE
Costa Najour
In 1913, Syrians are determined to be not white. (Read more)
1915
![](costa-najour.png)
WHITE
Costa Najour
In 1915, Syrians are determined to be white. (Read more)
1917
![](bhagat-singh-thind.png)
NOT WHITE
Bhagat Singh Thind
In 1917, Asian Indians are determined to be not white. (Read more)
1919
![](bhagat-singh-thind.png)
WHITE
Bhagat Singh Thind
In 1919, Asian Indians are determined to be white. (Read more)
1923
![](bhagat-singh-thind.png)
NOT WHITE
Bhagat Singh Thind
In 1923, Asian Indians are determined to be not white. (Read more)
1924
![](pantheyer-brandon.png)
WHITE
Pantheyer Brandon
In 1924, Virginians with 1/8 "Native American blood" and "no black blood" are determined to be white. (Read more)
1924
![](alice-jones.png)
WHITE
Alice Jones
In 1924, Alice Jones is thought to be "perhaps white" but possibly with 1/4-1/8 "Black blood". (Read more)
1925
![](alice-jones.png)
NOT WHITE
Alice Jones
In 1925, Alice Jones is determined to be not white. (Read more)
1926
![](pantheyer-brandon.png)
NOT WHITE
Pantheyer Brandon
In 1926, Virginians with 1/8 "Native American blood" and "no black blood" are determined to be not white. (Read more)
1997
![](anita-hemmings.png)
NOT WHITE
Anita Hemmings
In 1997, Vassar College celebrates Anita Hemmings as their first Black graduate. Anita Hemmings, therefore, is retroactively considered not white. (Read more)