In the following chronology, events in the novel are presented within the context of historical events (italicized) that had a critical impact on the lives of African Americans and their ongoing struggle for civil and human rights. The frame of reference is provided by two major historical eras: the end of World War II (September 2, 1945) and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement (December 5, 1955). Note: (1) Since Gaines does not cite specific days or dates, all times are approximate; (2) Numbers in brackets [ ] indicate chapter numbers.
The events in the novel span approximately six months — from October 1948 to April 1949 — the period between Jefferson's trial and execution. These six months correspond to the "grinding season" and to the academic school year at the plantation church/school.
1939-1945
World War II
1946
Joe Louis successfully defends his world heavyweight boxing championship for the twenty-third time.
1947
CORE (The Congress of Racial Equality) sends the first April Freedom Riders into the South to test the 1946 Supreme Court ban on segregated interstate buses.
April 11 Jackie Robinson signs a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African American to play professional baseball in the major leagues.
1948
June A. Philip Randolph forms the League for Nonviolent Disobedience Against Military Segregation.
July 26 President Truman signs Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the U.S. armed forces. Six years later (October 1954), integration is officially "completed." Attempts by African Americans to vote stir a wave of violence in the South.
October 1948
Friday Jefferson's trial. The all-white jury finds Jefferson guilty of robbery and first-degree murder.
Monday morning The judge sentences Jefferson to death by electrocution. [1]
Monday afternoon Miss Emma, Tante Lou, and Grant go to Henri Pichot's mansion to ask about prison visiting privileges for Grant.[3]
Tuesday Mr. Farrell Jarreau tells Grant that Pichot will meet him at five o'clock. [5]
Tuesday evening Grant is kept waiting in Pichot's kitchen for 2 1/2 hours. The sheriff tells Grant that he can start visiting Jefferson in "a couple of weeks." [6]
Thursday Dr. Joseph Morgan, the white school superintendent, makes his annual visit to Grant's school. [7]
The following week Two old men — Henry Lewis and Amos Thomas — deliver the first load of wood to Grant's school, marking the beginning of winter. [8]
