Civil Rights Era

Brown v. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

The Supreme Court decides that whites and blacks should be seperate but equal. But it was never very equal for the blacks.

Emmet Till

Aug 1, 1955

Emmet Till was visiting family in Mississippi when he was kidnaped, brutaly beaten and dumped in the Tallahatchie River for whistling at a white girl.

SCLC

Jan 1, 1957

(goes all the way until febuary) The Southern Christian Leadership Conference is made and Martin Luther King is the first president. It was to promote nonviolence.

Bus Trip through the South

May 4, 1961

Several black students takea bus trip through the South to test out new laws. But they are mobbed on the way.

James Meredith

Oct 1, 1962

James Meredith is the first black person to be accepted into the college of Mississippi.

I have a dream...

Aug 28, 1963

Martin Luther King reads his famous "I have a dream" speech at the Lincoln memorial.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Aug 10, 1965

Congress passes the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This helped blacks be able to vote easier.

Martin Luther King is Shot

Apr 4, 1968

Martin Luther King dies by being shot outside on his balconly of his hotel at the young age of 39.

Civil Rights Act of 1968

Apr 11, 1968

President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing

Civil Rights Act of 1991

Nov 22, 1991

President Bush signs the civil rights act of 1991.