Katherine Johnson, one of the key figures in Hidden Figures, was born.
Dorothy Vaughan, a pioneering African American mathematician and supervisor at NASA, was born.
Mary Jackson, an African American mathematician and aerospace engineer, was born.
NASA's Langley Research Center operated segregated facilities and workspaces for African American employees during early 1940s and 1950s.
Katherine Johnson calculated the trajectory for Alan Shepard's 1961 Freedom 7 mission, the first American manned space flight.
John Glenn specifically requested that Katherine Johnson recheck the calculations for his orbital mission before flight.
Mary Jackson petitioned the court to attend all-white classes and became NASA's first African American female engineer.
Dorothy Vaughan became the first African American supervisor at NASA.
Segregation began to be phased out at NASA Langley Research Center during the early 1960s.
Katherine Johnson graduates from MIT with top honors and begins working as a mathematician at NASA's Langley Research Center.
NASA hires Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson to work as computers and mathematicians during the space race.
Katherine Johnson calculates the trajectory needed for America's first manned spaceflight aboard Alan Shepard's Mercury capsule.
Mary Jackson petitions the local court to allow her to attend night classes at an all-white high school to earn her engineering credentials.
Dorothy Vaughan realizes computers are becoming electronic and begins teaching herself and her team FORTRAN, leading her to take the role of acting supervisor when the position opens.
Katherine Johnson personally verifies the computer’s calculations for John Glenn's orbital mission, securing Glenn's trust in the electronic data.
Following her successful petition and education, Mary Jackson earns her engineering certification and becomes NASA’s first black female engineer.
NASA officially removes segregation from bathrooms and workspaces, promoting racial integration in the workplace.
Katherine Johnson contributes advanced calculations for the trajectory of Apollo flights, ensuring future mission successes.
