Originally rooted in Black activism and social justice movements, the term “woke” has evolved over the decades as culture, politics, and media gradually reshaped its meaning into a symbol of both justice and growing division. This timeline traces key moments in that transformation across history and public discourse.
This timeline is a living document and will continue to evolve as new developments emerge and historical understanding deepens; it remains open to updates and revisions to reflect the ongoing journey of the term “woke”.