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1960
Four African-American students stage a sit-in at a Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, NC, sparking similar protests around the country. -
1961
Freedom Riders travel through the South, facing violent opposition from segregationists. -
1962
James Meredith is the first African-American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi, sparking riots and federal intervention. -
1963
Birmingham protests lead to the jailing of Martin Luther King Jr. and the use of fire hoses and police dogs against demonstrators. -
1963
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is held, where King delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech. -
1964
The Civil Rights Act is passed, outlawing discrimination based on race and gender. -
1965
Bloody Sunday occurs in Selma, AL, as marchers for voting rights face violent opposition -
1967
Race riots erupt in cities across the US, including Detroit and Newark -
1968
Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, TN, sparking riots nationwide. -
1970
The Kent State shootings occurred during student protests against the Vietnam War, killing four students and injuring nine others.