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Supreme Court Decides Segregation in Schools is Unconstitutional
In the case Brown vs. Board of Education, the Supreme court ruled that racial segregation was unconstitutional. After much campaigning, this result was finally reached. Although this was decided, there were no immediate results as Eisenhower wanted to play it safe so he could have a better chance of being reelected. -
Importance of Supreme Court Finding Segregation Unconstitutional
While there may not have been immediate changes in America’s schools, this was the first step in eliminating segregation. This was much needed if there was going to be any changes later on, as this preceded everything that occurred in the Civil RIghts Movement. By having this decision in place, it set up the Little Rock Nine 3 years later. -
Rosa Parks Refuses to Give Up Seat on Bus
On this day in history, after a long day at work, Rosa Parks decided she was not going to put up with the segregation any more. She sat in the middle of the bus, in the colored section. When the seats started to fill up, she was asked to move to the back but refused. This led to her arrest which was a flame to the civil rights movement. -
Rosa Parks Importance
This was the start against the revolt against segregation. She was what the African Americans needed to fight for their cause. No one had stood up to the law before, so the people saw that it could in fact be done. With this new found motivation, the African Americans could start their movement, and stand up for themselves. -
"Little Rock Nine" (9 black students) are Blocked from Entering White School
Nine African American students were admitted to Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. After the Supreme Court found segregation in schools unconstitutional, these students were allowed to take this large step. The students were blocked from entering but Governor Orval Faubus had some National Guard support them. This was a large controversy all throughout America. -
Importance of Little Rock Nine
Before this day, African American students were prohibited from receiving an education in the white schools, and were given worse educations. After this day, they began to gain support and this was a large step in getting African American students into these schools. This could not have taken place without the Supreme Court ruling three years prior. -
Martin Luther King Delivers "I Have a Dream" Speech
In his moving speech heard all around the country and even the world, Martin Luther King called for an end to racism once and for all. He preached to the people, and made clear the unfairness existing in America. Even today, this speech is considered the top speech of all time in all of America. In this speech he talked about what he wished for the future of the country and for the African Americans living there. He hoped that one day all people would be equal. -
Importance of MLK Speech
This speech was vital to the movement taking place in this time as was Martin Luther King. The African Americans needed a leader and someone who could rally them together to fight for these rights. In this speech he made very clear that he could be that man and that his people were fighting back. It was such a powerful speech that it is still recognized today as the greatest speech of all time. It was a great success and was a large part of the progressions later made. -
President Johnson Signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act stopped segregation in public places and put an end to discrimination in schools and the work place. It was called for by JFK and was a strong time for the country as it was a large part of the end to racism once and for all. This gave power to the government to be able to enforce this law and avoid all discrimination possible. This was the landmark for Civil RIghts legislation that has existed in this country. -
Importance of President Johnson Signs Act
By signing this Act, President Johnson outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. It ended a lot of the unequal voter registration and racial inequalities in the schools. This was the result that all of the African Americans were fighting for, and they had finally reached that result.
