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Brown V. Board of Education
Before the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans were treated unfairly. They were separated from all-white schools, public places, transport, voting, employment; just about everywhere. In 1954, the first steps towards equality were taken; schools were to ban segregation and integrate both black and white children into schools. -
Rosa Parks, Montgomery Bus Boycott, and MLK Jr.
On the first day of December in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person. She was arrested, and activists used this as the starting point of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was led by Martin Luther King Jr., to demand non-segregated public transportation. They did this by refusing to take the bus anywhere. On December 20th, 1956, the Supreme Court gave in and passed the decision for equal seating. This graph shows the decreased use of buses during years of protest. -
Ruby Bridges
In 1960, a young girl named Ruby Bridges (age 6) was the first girl in New Orleans to be integrated into what used to be an all-white elementary school. She was escorted by 4 federal marshalls to protect her from violent mobs of students and parents who did not want desegregation. Her bravery would inspire others and future generations. -
Freedom Riders
Beginning in 1961, a group of black and white activists called the "Freedom Riders" decided to test a newly passed court decision that outlawed segregation in public transport between states. The original group was attacked in South Carolina, causing them to stop. Another group of activists decided to pick it back up in Tenessee, Nashville. As others were stopped, more picked it up, until eventually, the Supreme Court demanded to reinforce the court decision. -
The Birmingham Demonstrations
In April 1963, MLK Jr. worked with an organization called SCLC to protest segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. Non-violent methods such as marches and sit-ins were used to support their cause, with both children and adults participating. Eventually, the city government decided to use force to stop them. They sent police forces to attack the protestors with power hoses, warrant arrests, and club them. This caused public outrage and caused to John F. Kennedy to propose the Civil Rights Bill. -
March on Washington
The famous speech, "I Have A Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK Jr.) was given during the March on Washington, an inspiration to all. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act advocated for African Americans, using the federal government to enforce equality in employment, public facilities, voting, etc. -
The Assassination of Malcolm X
On February 21st, one of the biggest leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, Malcolm X, was assassinated. He was an inspiration to many, and many carried on his ideas. -
The Selma March
The Selma March was a march that took multiple attempts to perform. Led by MLK Jr., their first attempt was blocked by State Troopers, who attacked the protestors. On their second attempt, MLK Jr. led the protestors into prayer and then turned back. Finally, using agents from the federal government as protection, they completed their march. -
Love is Allowed
In the court case Loving V. Virginia, a white man and his wife, who was part African American part Native American, filed a lawsuit against Virginia which had a law against the marriage of different races. They won the case, and the Supreme Court eliminated the law from 15 states as a result.