Executive Order 9981 was signed by President Harry S. Truman on July 26, 1948, and it marked a significant moment in African American history. The order called for the desegregation of the U.S. armed forces, thereby ending racial segregation in the military.

This executive order was a major step towards the civil rights movement and represented a crucial moment in the fight for equality and justice for African Americans. It paved the way for greater opportunities for Black soldiers, who had previously faced discrimination and segregation in the military.

Although the full integration of the armed forces took time and faced resistance, Executive Order 9981 was a landmark decision that challenged institutionalized racism and contributed to the broader struggle for civil rights in America.