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"The Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson
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"What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" by Fredrick Douglass
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Fredrick Douglass
He escaped from slavery, became a freeman, and learned how to read and write. He was a rights activist for suffrage, women's rights, black rights, and much more. He inspired and influenced people through his writings and speeches. -
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was a woman of color who escaped from slavery. She made 13 trips back to her farm to help other slaves escape, risking her life multiple times. She was part of the Underground Railroad committee and is said to have rescued approximately 70 enslaved people. She earned the nickname "Moses" and led a band of scouts for the Union. -
"Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address" by Abraham Lincoln
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The Reconstruction Era
The Reconstruction Era was a period of time following the Civil War. Its purpose was to rebuild the nation, reintegrate the former Confederate states, and address the impacts of slavery. During this period the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were added to give African Americans more rights. -
"Exerpt from Southern Horrors: Lynch Laws in All its phases" by: Ida B. Wells
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Rosa Parks
Rosa parks sat in a seat at the back of the bus due to segrigation laws. When a white man got on the bus and couldn't find a seat in the "white" section of the bus, the bus driver demanded that she and three others give up her seat, she refused and was arrested. She organized a bus boycott to help with the civil rights movement, leading segregated bus seating to be ruled as unconstitutional. -
Little Rock Nine
Central High School in Arkansas asked for volunteers from all-black high schools to attend the formerly segregated school. On September 4, nine Black students, called the Little Rock Nine, arrived at the school to start classes but were met by the state's National Guard, that the governor ordered, and a violent mob. Some weeks later, the group tried again but had to be removed when violence arose. President Eisenhower eventually gave the order for troops to escort the group to and from classes. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
He was a Baptist minister and civil rights leader. Martin Luther King fought for equal rights and organized peaceful protests for them. He delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech during the March on Washington which influenced and inspired many people. -
The March on Washington
On August 28th, more than 200,000 people of all races joined together in Washington, D.C. for a peaceful protest march. The march was organized and attended by many Civil rights activists and leaders. This event is when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have A Dream..." speech that would become one of the most memorable parts of the march. -
Baldwin "A Letter to my Nephew"
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Bloody Sunday
600 peaceful demonstrators took part in the Selma to Montgomery march to protest against the killing of a black civil rights activist by a white police officer, in addition to encouraging legislation to force the 15th amendment. As the demonstrators neared the bridge they were blocked by police and the governor. They refused to stand down and moved forward then beaten and teargassed by police, causing dozens of protesters to be hospitalized. This event was televised and named "Bloody Sunday." -
Coates "Between the World and Me"
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"A 'Forgotten History' Of How The U.S. Government Segregated America" by Terry Gross
