1961 – Amnesty International Founded in Response to Colonial Injustice

On May 28, 1961, Amnesty International was founded by British lawyer Peter Benenson. Although not exclusively a Black history milestone, the organization\’s inception marked a turning point in how the world responded to racial and colonial injustice. Amnesty’s early campaigns exposed the brutal treatment of anti-colonial activists across Africa—especially in apartheid South Africa and Portuguese-ruled Angola. The group became a key global watchdog, advocating for political prisoners like Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko. Its efforts helped internationalize the Black liberation cause and pressured colonial powers to reform or dismantle oppressive systems. May 28 marks the birth of a global ally to Black freedom movements, and Amnesty remains crucial in holding governments accountable. The organization\’s founding is intertwined with the global history of Black resistance and human rights.