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Rosa Parks Bus Boycott
Many people know about the famous Rosa Parks who set an example to many African Americans and others around the world. She had the courage to stand up to the unfair rules of bus segregation and refused to move when the bus driver demanded she move back a row like all African Americans were “supposed” to do. “I do not think that I should have to stand up.” She was arrested on the spot. She later says she was not physically tired but rather she was “tired of giving in.” This graph shows her impact -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama refused to ride city buses to protest equality. Many people view this as the “first” stand against segregation. Rosa Parks kicked this protest off by refusing to change seats just a week before everyone started doing it. People began spreading posters around to boycott the bus system on December 5, 1955, which was the day Rosa Parks would be in court. Buses lost 75% of their business, and on June 5, 1956, the court ruled in favor of the African Americans. -
Little Rock Nine
A group of nine African American students enrolled in the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. This segregation was a test of the Brown vs. Board of Education. On September 4th, these nine brave students would start on their journey of slowly changing African American discrimination. These students faced extreme hostility every day that they would attend the school. Because of this, the students were encouraged to leave the school, and only one student graduated, John Lewis. -
The Sit-In Movement
The peaceful protesting for civil rights continued when four African American college students ordered from a white-only counter and then sit in a white-only eating area. This birthed the sit-in movement. They would wait calmly to be served while people provoked fights and teased them. When people would attack them, they would curl into a ball, accepting the punches. This would cause for the angry mob to get called off by the police and a new line of African American people to take their spots. -
Ruby Bridges Enrollment
Ruby Bridges was a mere six year old when she endured hostility because of her race. Even when they had to call in troops to protect her, she says she was not scared. Barba Henry was the only teacher to accept her, making Ruby alone in a class of one, herself. Because of her bravery, more and more African American students began to enroll in the all-white McDonough Elementary School and schools everywhere. -
Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were a group of white and African American civil rights activist people who wanted the best for African American lives in America.They participated in Freedom Rides to protest bus segregation in the South at this time. These African Americans would use “white-only” restrooms and eating areas to do this protesting, and created quite a stir all around the world. They felt that having bus segregation was unconstitutional and did not view it as right. -
Stand in the Schoolhouse Door
George Wallace, governor of Alabama, loved the idea of segregation. Two black students, James A. Hood and Vivian Malone, were trying to get into their class at the University of Alabama when the stubborn governor blocked their path. The Alabama National Guard was eventually brought in to ensure that the students get into their class. Wallace backed down, avoiding any future conflict, but what he started will remain in our heads forever. This started lots of conflict in America. -
Birmingham Church Bombing
A predominantly black church holding several civil rights leaders was bombed before a Sunday morning church service in September. People all around America found out and it was brought to their attention how rough civil rights leaders and African American citizens had it. The KKK set off the bomb, as they had threatened to do before, endangering the peoples lives. Most people were able to escape, except for four young girls, innocently trapped in the basement restroom. -
Freedom Summer
Freedom Summer had a goal to increase black voting. This group was made up of African Americans as well as white people, as well as civil rights movement groups. They started free schools and increased black voting in Mississippi. Things became hard for these people who meant well as police got involved. There was beating, arson, arrests on innocent people, and three known murders. This made the African Americans wonder if equality could be achieved by peaceful means. This map shows the route. -
Martin Luther King Junior Assassinated
Martin Luther King Junior was a huge inspiration for many people who participated in the civil rights movements. This is why the killing of this loved man was a shock to many. The day after his speech at the March on Washington at around 6pm, he was standing on his balcony. He was shot in the neck and died an hour later at the age o 39. This man was taken too soon but will not be forgotten. -
People United to Serve Humanity
Jesse Jackson was involved in the hiring of many African Americans though being involved in Operation Breadbasket. He then went on to start the People United to Serve Humanity (PUSH). His goals in this was to increase the the security of jobs for African Americans, supporting black-owned businesses, and lots more. Because of this, he gave an opportunity to help the African American community to get back on a roll after the way they had been treated. The PUSH helped them succeed in this goal. -
Coleman Young Becomes the First African American Mayor of Detroit
Coleman Young became the first African American mayor of Detroit in 1973. Because he was indeed African American, he was a very popular candidate among that community of voters. Some of his goals as mayor was to lower the crime rate in Detroit and start construction projects. However, many people disliked the fact that their mayor was African American and moved away. This greatly hurt the economy. Young paved the way for future governors and politicians of any kind because of his time in office. -
Wilt Chamberlain Scores Highest in League
Wilt Chamberlain was a very talented basketball player. He set not one, but two records. This 7'1 man scored over 30,000 points in his entire career and is the first and only player to ever score over 100 points in a single game. Chamberlain is not someone to mess around with, showing us that African American accomplishments are so incredible! He started his career in 1959 and only continued to grow from there. By the end of his career in 1973, he had played in 1,045 games. -
California's First African American Governor: Tom Bradley
Thomas Bradley was the first African American governor of California. He was a cop and then went to college to get a law degree. He gained the favor of white people and African American because of him being involved in a multiethnic community. This is why he was able to win his election against Yorty in 1973. He then served for a total of 20 years after this election as governor. He truly impacted the state of California and set an example to both African American and white people everywhere. -
Hank Aaron Hits His 715th Home Run
When Babe Ruth scored an impressed 714 home runs by the end of his career, everyone knew it would be hard to beat. However, Hank Aaron was up to the task. On April 8, 1974, Hank hit his 715th home run. This would be the new record to beat! He truly made history and now had an entire stadium dedicated to him, the Hank Aaron Stadium. This shows his 715th home run! -
Andrew Young Becomes the First African American Ambassador
In 1977, Jimmy Carter appointed Andrew Young to become to first African American Ambassador to the United Nations. Some of the things that Young worked towards was ending white-minority rule in other countries, such as Zimbabwe and Namibia. He was an architect who was grounded in human rights. Through his bravery and strong values, he truly made a difference in the government. -
Rosa Parks Awarded with the Medal of Freedom
Rosa Parks had lots of trouble getting a job after the boycott. She began to work with Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr. to continue the fight for equal rights. She then worked as a receptionist for John Conyers after his election until her retirement in 1988. She was given the Medal of Freedom on Sept. 9, 1996, the highest honor an American Citizen can obtain. Bill Clinton recognizes her for her actions in this clip.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4514372/clinton-recognizes-rosa-parks -
The Ruby Bridges Foundation
Ruby Bridges was a very influential person in Civil Rights history. Her bravery sets an example for us all. She used her platform in 1999 to establish the Ruby Bridges Foundation. This foundation created changes and promoted tolerance in the American school system. Because of this foundation and the way that she helped many kids as well as her bravery when she was just four years old, she was made the honorary deputy marshal in 2000. This foundation truly changed integration as a whole. -
John Lewis’ awarded with the Medal of Freedom
John was a member of the original Freedom Riders group in 1961. He was viciously attacked as he tried to enter a white-only eating place. Despite this, he eventually made a difference. In November 1986 John Lewis was elected into the house of congress. Because of his acts of bravery, he was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. This is a clip of Johns thoughts as he accepted this award.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4P02rNysh8
