In From Slavery to Freedom (2007), it was said that “the transition from slavery to freedom represents one of the major themes in the history of the African diaspora in the Americas” (para 1). African American history plays an important role in American history not only because of the civil rights movement, but also because of the strength and courage of African Americans fighting to live a good life in America. African Americans have been in this country since the early 1600s and have been making history ever since. We Americans studied American history throughout school and took a month out of the year to study African American history. Of course we learn some things about important people and events in African American history, but some of the most important things remain untold and will take more than a month to learn about. The fight for freedom and rights When African Americans came to America in they hoped to have a better and easier lifestyle, and after their arrival it was totally the opposite of what they expected. The following are a couple of events that took place in different places in the fight for freedom and rights. The first is Bloody Sunday; which took place in Selma, Alabama. This particular event was the march of black activists from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Thomas-Samuel (1996) stated that “In 1965, Alabama state troopers and local deputies stopped and beat black activists as they marched peacefully…”. (paragraph 1). These people just wanted to prove something by marching from one city to another and they were beaten just for that. Next is the fight for… half of the document… 7, 2007 from website: http://www.who2.com/denmarkvessey From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in the Americas. (2007). Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Retrieved October 7, 2007, from website: http://www.asalh.org/Harlem Renaissance (1997-2007) Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007. Retrieved October 7, 2007, from website: http://encarta.msn .com/encyclopedia_761566483/Harlem_Renaissance.html/Harlem Renaissance. (2007) The Columbia Electronics Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Retrieved October 7, 2007, from: http://www.factmonster.com./ce6/ent/A0822748.htmlHistory of Little Rock Nine. (1999) Little Rock Nine Foundation. Retrieved October 7, 2007, from website: http://www.littlerock9.com/