Philip Randolph was instrumental for the fight against racial
discrimination and the rights of African Americans for just and fair
employment. He was a leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement,
American Labor Movement, and Socialist Political parties. He led the march on
Washington Movement that convinced Franklin Roosevelt to issue Executive Order
8802. The order bans discrimination in the employment of African-Americans in
the defense industries of World War II.
In his lead, Executive Order 9981 was also issued by Harry
Truman finally ending segregation in the armed services.