FIFO

Cynics can reasonably point out that Massachusetts was the first state to institutionalize slavery and was among the first to forbid interracial relations and marriage. Also, anti-slavery only took root here when it was obvious that slaves were did not make economic sense without large farms.

Yet, Massachusetts was the first to repeal its prohibition on interracial marriage, in 1843. It was over 105 years until California overturned its similar laws. While such laws were no longer enforced, they remained on the books in the United States until June 1999, when Alabama finally repealed the last one.