History Today: How George Floyd's killing in US gave rise to ‘Black Lives Matter' movement

First Post

25-05-2025

On May 25, 2020, the killing of George Floyd led to what is considered the largest protest movement in United States history and a conversation on racism and policing. Floyd, a Black man, died after Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly 10 minutes. Protesters filled the streets, shouting slogans such as 'Black Lives Matter' and soon spread across the US read more
Floyd was handcuffed and repeatedly said he could not breathe. Reuters/File Photo
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a Black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly ten minutes. Floyd was handcuffed and repeatedly said he could not breathe.
Bystanders filmed the incident, and the video quickly spread, leading to what is believed to be the largest protest movement in US history. It opened a public discussion on race and policing.
Also, on this day in 1977, George Lucas's science fiction film 'Star Wars' was released. It would go on to become one of the most popular and influential film series ever made.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today, is your one-stop destination to explore key events.
Let's take a look at the events:
George Floyd was killed, 'Black Lives Matter' begins
On this day in 2020, the killing of George Floyd led to what is believed to be the largest protest movement in United States history and a huge discussion on racism and policing.
George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by Derek Chauvin , a white Minneapolis police officer, who pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly ten minutes.
People take part in a Black Lives Matter protest in Oklahoma City. Reuters/File Photo
Floyd, a father of five, had gone to a local convenience store in Minneapolis to buy cigarettes. A store clerk suspected he had used a fake $20 note and called the police.
When the officers arrived, they drew a gun on Floyd, who at first followed their instructions and allowed himself to be arrested. But when they tried to put him in a police vehicle, he said he was claustrophobic and resisted.
Police then pulled him from the car and pinned him to the ground. Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck for nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds.
By the time an ambulance arrived, Floyd was unresponsive and was declared dead at a nearby hospital.
A video of the incident quickly spread on Facebook, and protests began in Minneapolis within hours. They soon spread across the country.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Protesters took to the streets in all parts of the country, shouting slogans like 'Black Lives Matter' and ' I Can't Breathe .' Police in many cities responded using riot-control tactics.
A demonstrator holds a sign during the Black Lives Matter protest. Reuters/File Photo
The incident also brought fresh attention to the earlier deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, two other Black Americans who had been killed that year.
In the weeks that followed Floyd's death, protests were held in more than 2,000 cities and towns across all 50 US states, as well as in cities around the world.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings, people kept marching throughout June. Protesters faced heavy resistance from local and federal law enforcement, many of whom were in riot gear.
Chauvin was arrested four days later, on May 29, 2020. He was charged with second-degree and third-degree murder, along with second-degree manslaughter.
He was later sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison.
When the first 'Star Wars' film was released
On this day in 1977, Memorial Day weekend in the United States began with the release of Star Wars , the first film in what would become one of the most successful franchises in cinema history.
Created by George Lucas, the story is set 'a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away' and follows Luke Skywalker, played by then little-known actor Mark Hamill, as he gets caught up in a battle between a powerful empire and rebel fighters.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Despite opening in just 42 theatres, the film made nearly $3 million in its first week. By the end of that summer, it had earned over $100 million in the US alone.
It would go on to become one of the most popular and influential film series ever made. Image: X
Star Wars won six Academy Awards and received a special honour for sound design. It transformed the film industry with its groundbreaking visual effects.
The film quickly became a cultural sensation. It led to a wide range of related media, including more films, TV shows, comics, toys, video games and merchandise.
Two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and The Return of the Jedi (1983), brought back most of the original cast and were just as successful, both critically and commercially.
The Star Wars universe has continued to grow, with new films and series being released well into the 2020s.
This Day, That Year
1611: Emperor Jahangir married Mehr-un-Nissa, who would later be known as Nur Jahan. She became one of the most powerful and influential women in Mughal history.
1977: China lifted a ten-year ban on the works of William Shakespeare, which was seen as a shift in the country's cultural policies.
1979: An accident took place when an American Airlines DC-10 crashed shortly after takeoff from Chicago's O'Hare Airport, killing 273 people.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
2011: The final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show aired. The long-running programme made Winfrey one of the wealthiest and most influential women in the US.
2012: SpaceX made history as its Dragon capsule became the first private spacecraft to successfully dock with the International Space Station.
2018: Harvey Weinstein was arrested and charged in New York with rape and another sex offence in what was the first prosecution to follow the wave of accusations against him.