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Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. The Board of Education was a Supreme Court case in Kansas in 1954, that declared racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The case was brought by African American families who challenged the "separate but equal" doctrine. The Supreme Court ruled that segregation in public schools violated the 14th Amendment. This decision helped pave the way for the civil rights movement. -
Murder of Emmett Till
Emmett Till was an African American boy who was accused of whistling at a white woman, Carolyn Bryant. 3 days later he was brutally murdered in Money, Mississippi in 1955. He was kidnapped and tortured by two men, Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam. They were both found not guilty and didn’t tell the truth until years later. His mother had an open casket for everyone to see the horrible things they have done to her son. -
Rosa Parks and the Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks refused to move seats on a bus in In 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. Her act of sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a year-long protest where African Americans boycotted the city buses to demand an end to segregation. The boycott was a significant moment in the fight for civil rights and led to a Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation on public buses unconstitutional. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is a civil rights organization that was founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1957. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and 60 other pastors. The organization advocated for nonviolent protest and direct action against racial segregation and discrimination. They organized marches, boycotts, and other peaceful demonstrations to bring attention to the injustices faced by African Americans and to push for changes. -
Little Rock 9
The Little Rock Nine refers to a group of nine African American students who enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Their enrollment was met with intense objections from white segregationists. Despite facing verbal and physical abuse, the Little Rock Nine bravely attended the school, with the help of federal troops. Their brave actions brought national attention to the issue of racial integration in schools and played a significant role in the civil rights movement. -
Greensboro Sit ins
The Greensboro sit-ins were a series of nonviolent protests that took place in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960. It started when four African American college students sat at a segregated lunch counter and refused to leave until they were served. Their peaceful protest inspired others to join, and the sit-ins spread across the country. The sit-ins were a powerful form in challenging racial segregation and demanding equal rights. -
Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were a group of civil rights activists that started riding buses to advocate for segregation in Washington, D.C. during the 1961- and so on. They traveled on buses and trains through the South to protest segregation. They faced violent challenges and were often arrested for their actions. The Freedom Riders brought national attention to the issue of segregation and played a significant role in pushing for equal rights. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington was a big event that took place on August 28, 1963. It was a peaceful political rally where around 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C. to advocate for civil rights and racial equality. The march was organized by a group of civil rights, labor, and other organizations, including the SCLC. Martin Luther King Jr.'s also gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. -
Civil Rights Act (1964)
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a significant act in the United States that aimed to end segregation and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It prohibited unequal treatment in public places. The Civil Rights Act was a major step forward in the fight for equality and played a important role in advancing civil rights. -
Assassination of Malcom X
The assassination of Malcolm X occurred on February 21, 1965. Malcolm X, a civil rights leader and advocate for black empowerment, was speaking at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City when he was shot by members of the Nation of Islam. He believed that black people should fight back for what they believe in and start businesses. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches (Bloody Sunday)
The Selma to Montgomery marches were a series of peaceful protests that took place in 1965 in Alabama, United States. They were organized to advocate for African American voting rights, as many black citizens faced discrimination that prevented them from their right to vote. Led by civil rights activists, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the marches aimed to draw attention to all the injustices faced by African Americans and to push for the passage of the Voting Rights Act. -
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a that aimed to overcome racial barriers to voting. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The act sought to enforce the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It included prohibition on the literacy tests and other racial voting practices. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King
The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. occurred on April 4, 1968. Dr. King, a civil rights leader and advocate for racial equality, was in Memphis, Tennessee, to support striking sanitation workers. He was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, he was fatally shot by James Earl Ray. His assassination shocked the nation and led to widespread protests. His death marked a end to the civil rights movement.