1960s and Public Protests (Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam) Timeline

By bigboykjjdsjdf

  • 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.