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Civil Rights Act of 1964
Brown v Board was one of the historic events that led to the Civil Rights Act of 1864, further expanding equality within the country -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution abolishes slavery -
14th Amendment Passed
The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed guaranteeing all men, regardless of race, equal protection under the law -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment gave black males the right to vote. However, new obstacles would be unveiled to deter those votes, such as Jim Crow Laws, poll taxes, and literacy tests -
Civil Rights Act of 1875
The Civil Rights Act of 1865 prohibited discrimination in public places such as restaurants, theaters, and inns. -
Jim Crow Laws
Beginning in 1877, segregation laws began being established to keep white and black populations from integrating -
1883 Supreme Court Ruling
In 1883 the Supreme Court ruled discrimination was legal by individuals and private businesses. This opened the way for segregation in public schools, voter suppression, and other forms of overt discrimination -
Plessy v Ferguson
Further reinforcing the era of Jim Crow laws, the Plessy v Ferguson case created the mantra 'Separate but Equal' which further allowed for the segregation of races in the eyes of the law -
The case of Olivia Brown
In 1951, the parents of Olivia Brown wanted to enroll their daughter in a school closer to their home versus one that was mile away. The Topeka, KS school board declined the request. Black schools were not as well funded as whites with little to no busing to assist. The Brown's elected to sue. -
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Brown
The 1954 Brown v Board of Education ruling effectively ended the 'Separate but Equal' era within the country as the court found segregation to be in violation of the 14th Amendment -
Voting Rights Act 1965
Still building on the events of the past, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act in to law in 1965. This act further built upon the passage of the 15th Amendment to outlaw things such as literacy tests during the voting process to give the black community more say in government -
Fair Housing Act 1968
Another element, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, opened equal home ownership