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Civil Rights Act of 1957
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 protected the rights of African Americans to vote. This was the first civil rights law passed since the Reconstruction era. Eisenhower firmly believed in having the right to vote, and he hoped by passing this act that it would convince more African American voters to vote Republican. -
Woolsworth's Department Store Sit-In
The Woolsworth's Department Store Sit-In was what kick-started the sit-in movement. Four college students in Greensboro were discussing ways to add to the civil rights movement, and one of the students suggested a "sit-in." Soon after, they purchased school supplies and sat at the "whites-only" counter. They did this everyday until they were met with the same service as the white customers. They were joined by 300 other students eventually. -
The March on Washington
Over 200,000 protesters peacefully gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, where activists gave speeches. The most notable speech from this gathering is Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. His speech gave the civil rights movement the momentum that it needed to be heard by Congress. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 protected the voting rights of African American voters. The bill allowed for the U.S. attorney general to send federal troops to register voters. This was often done when officers refused to register voters based on their race. The bill also banned discrimination within voting, such as literary tests. -
Martin Luther King's Assassination
When Martin Luther King was assassinated, it left the whole world shocked. The civil rights movement lost a little bit of its momentum, however activists only used it as fuel to push for legislation. After his death, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act of 1968. This bill gave equal housing opportunity, ultimately banning any type of discrimination when selling, buying, or renting a home.