World War II was a significant period in Black history, as African Americans played a crucial role in the war effort both at home and abroad. Despite facing discrimination and segregation in the military and society, over one million Black Americans served in the armed forces during World War II.

The most well-known contribution of Black soldiers during World War II was their service in the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame rampant racism and prejudice to become one of the most respected fighter groups in the war.

On the home front, many Black Americans worked in defense industries to support the war effort. This era also saw the beginning of the Great Migration, as thousands of African Americans moved from the rural South to industrial cities in the North and West in search of better job opportunities.

The wartime contributions of Black Americans helped pave the way for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, as returning Black veterans pushed for racial equality and justice in American society. The experiences of African Americans during World War II were instrumental in breaking down racial barriers and advancing the cause of civil rights.