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Plessy v Ferguson
Supreme Court decision that uphold the constitutionality of state laws that required racial segregation in public facilities under the doctrine of "seperate but equal" -
Medgar Evers
African American civil rights activist who was a field secretary for NAACP Evers worked to gain admission for African Americans to the University of Mississippi Assassinated by Bryon De La Beckwith who was a White Citizens Council member -
James Meredith
Became the first African-American student admitted to the University of Mississippi in 1962 Enforced vivl rights for African Americans -
Congress of Racial Equality
One of the "Big Four" civil rights organizations, along with the SCLC, the SNCC, and the NAACP -
Jackie Robinson
First African American man to play in Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers His character challenged the traditional basis of segregation -
Sweatt vs Painter
Sweatt vs Painter Challenged doctrine established in 1896 case of Plessy v Ferguson Sweatt was refused to the School of Law of the University of Texas -
Brown v Board of Education
Brown v Board of Education Case in which the Court announced that state laws that established separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional Overturned the decision of the Plessy v Ferguson case and was a huge victory for the Civil Rights Movement -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Montgomery Bus Boycott Campaign that had started when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person The campaign had lasted to December 20, 1956 when Supreme Court decided that segregated buses were unconstitutional -
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The Boycott of Montgomery
The black community took part in the boycotting in order to cause serious economic distress by not riding the buses In order to publicize the boycott, it was advertised at black churches throughout Montgomery Supreme Court ruled in Browder v. Gayle that Alabama's racial segregation laws for buses were unconstitutional -
The Southern Manifesto
The Southern Manifesto Document that opposed racial integration of public places Countered ruling of Brown v Board of Education -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
SCLC Nonviolent African-American civil rights organization that had been formed after the Montgomery Bus Boycott The president of SCLC was Martin Luther King Jr. originally -
Little Rock - Central High School
Little Rock - Central High School The site of school integration after court ruling that declared segregation of public schools to be unconstitutional -
Greensboro Sit-in
Greensboro Sit-ins Series of nonviolent protests in Greensboro, North Carolina that had the Woolworth department stores remove their racial segregation policy -
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
SNCC Student-led groups doing protests against segregation in dozens of southern communities Meetings organized by Ella Baker at Shaw University -
Freedom Rides
Freedom Rides Tactic aimed at desegregating public transportation throughout the South Interstate Commerce Commission issued rules prohibiting segregated transportation facilities in November -
Letter from Birmingham Jail
Letter from Birmingham Jail Written by Martin Luther King Jr. The letter defends the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism Important text of the Civil Rights Movement -
March on Washinton
March on Washington Rally that demanded the civil and economic rights for African Americans and had Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in which he called for an end to racism -
Bombing of Birmingham Church
Bombing of Burmingham Church An act of white supremacist terrorism that involved four Ku Klux Klan members planting bombs undernerath the front steps of a church The explosion killed four girls and injured many others Was described by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as "one of the most vicious and tragic crimes ever perpetrated against humanity" -
24th Amendment
Prohibits Congress and states from including a tax in order to vote Proposed by Congress on August 27, 1962, and was ratified by the states on January 23, 1964 -
Mississippi Freedom Summer
Freedom Summer Volunteer campaign that attempted to register as many African-American voters as possible in Mississippi The project set up community centers in order to help the local black population -
Civil Rights Act Passed
Civil Rights Act of 1964 Document that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin Ended racial segregation at public places or services Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson -
Malcolm X assassinated
American Muslim minister and human rights activist Described as one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history Preparing to address the Organization of Afro-American Unity when he was shot in the chest by a white man followed by two other white men who had shot him as well -
Selma to Montgomery March
Three marches from Selma to Montgomery to show their desire to be able to have their constitutional right to vote The marches from Selma to Montgomery were 54 miles long This contributed to the Voting Rights Movement -
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The Marches
The marches from Selma to Montgomery were opposed by state troopers and county posseman that had attacked unarmed marchers with billy clubs and tear gas. This event was known as Bloody Sunday. Thousands joined the marches and on March 21, 25,000 people entered Montgomery to show their support for voting rights. -
Voting Rights Act approved
Voting Rights Act Document that prohibits racial discrimination in voting Congress later amended the Act five times in order to extend its protections Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson who also signed the Civil Rights Act -
Black Panthers
Black nationalist and socialist organization Monitored the behavior of police officers and challenge police brutality in Oakland, California FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover called the party "the greatest threat to the internal security of the country" -
Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated
Fatally shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee through the jaw King was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital and pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m.
