Origins & Early Life

The Scottsboro Boys were nine African American male teenagers accused of raping a young white woman and a 17-year-old white girl in 1931. The landmark set of legal cases from this incident dealt with racism and the right to a fair trial. The cases included a lynch mob before the suspects had been indicted, all-white juries, rushed trials, and disruptive mobs. It is commonly cited as an example of a legal injustice in the United States legal system.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

On March 25, 1931, two dozen people were "hoboing" on a freight train traveling between Chattanooga and Memphis, Tennessee. The hobos were an equal mix of blacks and whites. A group of whites gathered rocks and attempted to force all the black teenagers from the train, but were unsuccessful. The humiliated white teenagers jumped or were forced off the train and reported to a nearby train master that they had been attacked by a group of black teenage boys. Shortly thereafter, the police stopped and searched the train at Paint Rock, Alabama and arrested the black teenage boys.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Two young white females were also taken to the jail, where they accused the African American teenage boys of rape. The case was first heard in Scottsboro, Alabama,...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Historical peer (Born in 1931) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Adolfo Pérez Esquivel — Historical peer (Born in 1931) (1931): Argentine activist and Nobel Peace laureate for human rights defense.
• Scylax of Caryanda — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Greek explorer and writer active during the Achaemenid period, known for his geographical writings.
• Seán MacBride — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Irish republican activist, politician, and diplomat known for international human rights work.
• Sean Combs — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Iconic rapper, producer, and mogul known for founding Bad Boy Records and Sean John.
• Sean Conley — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: American physician and Navy officer, known for serving as physician to the President during the COVID-19 pandemic.