Camden John Fischer's, Jayden Christopher Giacomini's, and Joshua Francis Lee Greene's Historic Civil Rights Timeline on the Grand History of the Eternal Struggle of African-Americans Fighting for their Civil Rights in this Country of Prejudice and Racism
By fischyboy15
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Isaac Woodward Attacked
On 12 Feb. 1946, Isaac Woodward was attacked. He was a veteran who was honorably discharged from the military. After leaving he was jumped and blinded in the process. President Truman then said in response to this event, “I shall fight to end evils like this.” This event showed the world the cruelty of racism. -
Jackie Robinson Joins the MLB
Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to join the MLB. Robinson broke the MLB color barrier in 1947, joining the Brooklyn Dodgers and playing for them from 1947-1956. Robinson was a major civil rights figure and an incredible baseball player, stating: "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being." Robinson joining the MLB was a major achievement that led to more African-Americans joining professional sports. -
Brown v. Board of Education
For decades, Thurgood Marshall and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People fought for desegregation in schools. Eventually, 5 cases on the matter were brought before the U.S. Supreme Court under the case of Brown v. Board of Education. Marshall fought against the pre-established principle of "separate but equal", and the Supreme Court unanimously agreed that the segregation of schools based on color is unequal, overruling the 1889 case of Plessy v. Ferguson. -
Rosa Parks is Kicked Off the Bus
Rosa Parks was on a bus when she was told to leave her seat. By law, she was supposed to forfeit her seat to the white passenger when the bus was full. However, she resisted; insisting that she would not move. Rosa Parks was arrested. She showed, however, a bravery that inspired many others to stand up for the injustices of her time. -
The Montgomery Bus Boycott Leads to Bus Segregation Abolished
In the case of Brown and the Board of Education, on June 5, 1956, bus segregation was abolished. The district court ruled it unconstitutional. This helped the people of this time question the constitutionality of racism. -
Forming of the SCLC
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was founded by Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders in Atlanta, GA. Its purpose was to better organize non-violent protests in the South. Though originally controversial among African-American families who believed civil rights issues should be fought in court, the SCLC quickly came to the forefront of the civil rights movement, inspiring many organizations. The SCLC played a hand in ending many segregated issues in the South. -
Greensboro Sit-in
In the town of Greensboro, NC, four African-American students, Ezell Blair, Jr., Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond, began a form of non-violent protest called a "sit-in". They went to a segregated lunch counter in a Woolworth's store, and, when refused service, continued to sit there. In the following days, more African-American students sat in protest, leading to the lunch counter not making money. Sit-ins spread, and eventually led to integrated lunch counters in the South. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington was a protest where approximately 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to argue for African American jobs and freedoms. This protest of African Americans and civilians made for a strong protest racism. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his infamous "I Had a Dream" speech at this march, and it was one of the largest civil rights events of the century. -
Bloody Sunday
The event known as Bloody Sunday started on March 7, 1965, when a march on Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, was started by John Lewis. State troopers brutally attacked the protestors leading to four people being killed during the march. This turn of events led to national outrage, which ended in voting rights for African Americans. -
Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act is a landmark federal law in the United States that was passed as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. The act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. The law has played a significant role in promoting equal opportunity and combating housing discrimination in the country. -
Vanessa Williams Becomes the First Black Miss America
Vanessa Williams became the first black Miss America in 1983, representing New York. Her win was a significant moment in the pageant's history, paving the way for more diversity and representation. Despite facing controversy during her reign, Williams went on to have a successful career in entertainment. -
First Black Astronaut - Guion Bluford
In 1983, Guion Bluford was the first black astronaut in America. The areas in which a black citizen could work were limited during this time due to racist stereotypes, and Guion Bluford helped inspire the next generation. Mr. Bluford showed his community that if you worked hard enough, even if the world seems to be against you, you can and will succeed. -
Rosa Parks Institute of Self Development Created
Rosa and Raymond Parks' institution of self-development is a charity that works towards an equal future. They have spent 65 years working towards this goal. The Rosa and Raymond Parks' institution of self-development is still working and has greatly impacted our nation. -
Carol Moseley-Braun Becomes the First Black Woman Senator of Illinois
Carol Moseley Braun was the first African American woman to be elected to the United States Senate in 1992, representing Illinois. She was a strong advocate for civil and women's rights and her win inspired more diversity in the Senate. Before her election, Moseley Braun served as a prosecutor and an Illinois State Senator. -
Million Man March
The Million Man March was an attempt to show the world that the black community didn’t fit into the stereotypes forced onto them. Louis Farrakhan brought together about 1,000,000 sober and disciplined men to march in Washington. At the time, many of the black community were seen as poor and drunken. The march inspired many to see past stereotypes and see our black American citizens for who they are. -
The MLB Retires Jackie Robinson's Number
50 years after Jackie Robinson became the first African-American MLB player, the league retired 42, his number. Many individual teams had retired a player's number in the past, but the entire league retiring a number was extremely uncommon. This shows how impactful a player and person Jackie Robinson was, and how his perseverance paved the way for countless African-American athletes after him. -
Colin Powell Becomes First Black Secretary of State
In 2001 Colin Powell became the first black secretary of state. He was President George Bush’s secretary of state. Colin Powell also gave a speech to the United Nations on the invasion of Iraq. Through Colin Powell, it was shown that a black man could hold an important governmental position. -
Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District
The Seattle School District often used race as a tiebreaker for if a student should be accepted to a school, favoring white students. The non-profit named Parents Involved in Community Schools sued them, and the case made its way to the Supreme Court, who deemed this practice un-Constitutional. This is important because it ended further racial discrimination that still existed after the civil rights movement, and further encouraged treating people based off their character and not their race. -
Barrack Obama Becomes the First African-American President
In 2009, past Illinois senator Barrack Obama was inaugurated as the first African-American President of the United States of America. This was a major accomplishment that found its basis in the civil rights movement. The determination and persistence of the men and women in that movement allowed for future generations to receive and prosper under these rights. An African-American becoming the most powerful person in the country showed how far they had come in the previous 40 years. -
Louis Armstrong Inducted into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame
Louis Armstrong, born in New Orleans in 1901, was a jazz trumpeter, composer, and singer. He gave hits like "What a Wonderful World," "Hello, Dolly!", and "When the Saints Go Marching In." Armstrong was a civil rights activist who spoke out against racism. He is a beloved figure in music history, and showed the world that African-American singers could triumph in music. His induction into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame cemented him as one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time.