1893
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
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
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
WHITE
John Svan
In 1908, (two weeks after Svan's original petition), Finns determined to be white by a Minnesota court. (Read more)
1909
NOT WHITE
Bhagat Singh Thind
In 1909, Asian Indians are determined to be not white. (Read more)
1909
NOT WHITE
George Shishim
In 1909, George Shishim's Syrian identity is determined tantamount to being not white. (Read more)
1909
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
WHITE
Costa Najour
In 1909, during the case of Costa Najour, Syrians are determined to be white. (Read more)
1910
WHITE
Bhagat Singh Thind
In 1910, Asian Indians are determined to be white. (Read more)
1913
NOT WHITE
Costa Najour
In 1913, Syrians are determined to be not white. (Read more)
1915
WHITE
Costa Najour
In 1915, Syrians are determined to be white. (Read more)
1917
NOT WHITE
Bhagat Singh Thind
In 1917, Asian Indians are determined to be not white. (Read more)
1919
WHITE
Bhagat Singh Thind
In 1919, Asian Indians are determined to be white. (Read more)
1923
NOT WHITE
Bhagat Singh Thind
In 1923, Asian Indians are determined to be not white. (Read more)
1924
WHITE
Pantheyer Brandon
In 1924, Virginians with 1/8 "Native American blood" and "no black blood" are determined to be white. (Read more)
1924
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
NOT WHITE
Alice Jones
In 1925, Alice Jones is determined to be not white. (Read more)
1926
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
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)