- 1937The Rise
Joe Louis wins the heavyweight title
Joseph Louis Barrow knocks out James J. Braddock in the eighth round at Comiskey Park in Chicago to become world heavyweight champion. He defends the title a record twenty-five consecutive times over the next eleven years, eight months and seven days.
- 1944Context
G.I. Bill signed
President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, promising tuition, low-interest home loans, and unemployment pay to sixteen million veterans. Administered through local draft boards and segregated colleges, the bill subsidizes white suburban wealth while denying most Black veterans equal access; the resulting homeownership gap compounds for four generations.
Timeline data: 159 events across The Ledger. See the full 400-year timeline →