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The Supreme Court Decision of Plessy v. Ferguson
it established the "separate but equal" doctrine, upholding racial segregation as constitutional, and it served as a major setback for the civil rights movement, allowing Jim Crow laws to flourish for decades. -
The Tuskegee Airmen
they were the first African American military aviators, proving their competence and courage in combat, which helped pave the way for the desegregation of the U.S. military and inspired future generations. -
The Integration of Major League Baseball
representing a significant step towards racial equality and serving as a symbol of hope and progress in the fight for civil rights. -
The Integration of the Armed Forces
mandating equal treatment and opportunity in the armed forces, regardless of race, color, religion, or national origin, thereby dismantling a long history of segregation and discrimination. -
The Supreme Court Decision of Sweatt v. Painter
Supreme Court decision, which ruled that a segregated law school for Black students was inherently unequal to the white law school, laid crucial groundwork for the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954 by challenging the "separate but equal" doctrine and paving the way for its eventual dismantling in public education. -
The Supreme Court Decision of Brown v. Board of Education
ruling that state-sponsored segregation in public education was unconstitutional, regardless of whether facilities were equal. -
The Death of Emmitt Till
brought international attention to the Civil Rights Movement in America by exposing the rampant racism and injustice faced by Black people in the South. -
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
leading to the desegregation of public transportation and inspiring nationwide efforts to end racial segregation. -
The Integration of Little Rock High School
a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, demonstrating the struggle for equal education and challenging segregation in the South, ultimately leading to federal intervention and a landmark victory for civil rights. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1957
it was the first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, establishing the Civil Rights Commission and empowering federal prosecutors to address voting rights violations, marking a shift towards federal involvement in civil rights issues and setting the stage for future legislation -
The Greensboro Four Lunch Counter Sit-In
Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr, and David Richmond, were crucial to the Civil Rights Movement because their Greensboro sit-in at a Woolworth's lunch counter in 1960 sparked a nationwide movement of student activism and drew attention to segregation, leading to integration and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. -
The Freedom Rides by Freedom Riders of 1961
they challenged segregation in interstate travel, drawing national attention to the issue and ultimately leading to the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) banning segregation in public transportation. -
The Twenty-Fourth Amendment
it prohibits the federal and state governments from imposing poll taxes as a condition for voting in federal elections. -
The Integration of the University of Mississippi
demonstrating the federal government's commitment to enforcing equality and opening doors for future generations of students of color. -
The Integration of the University of Alabama
a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, marking a significant step towards racial equality and demonstrating the power of federal intervention in upholding civil rights. -
The March on Washington & "I Have a Dream" speech by MLK
as a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring action and leading to landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. -
The Assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas
The assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963 was a turning point, not just because it marked the end of a promising presidency, but also because it exposed deep divisions and anxieties within the nation, accelerating existing social and political unrest and leading to a period of instability. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 signed by President Johnson
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, was a landmark achievement for the Civil Rights Movement, outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, employment, and federally assisted programs, and paving the way for future civil rights legislation. -
The Assassination of Malcolm X
After Malcolm X's assassination, his greatest contribution arguably became the widespread dissemination and lasting impact of his autobiography, which solidified his legacy as a powerful voice for Black empowerment and racial pride, inspiring generations of activists and thinkers. -
The Selma to Montgomery March: "Blood Sunday"
galvanized the Civil Rights Movement and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed racial discrimination in voting. -
The Voting Rights of 1965
The Voting Rights Act is a landmark federal law enacted in 1965 to remove race-based restrictions on voting. It is perhaps the country's most important voting rights law, with a history that dates to the Civil War. -
The Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee
The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis on April 4, 1968, sparked widespread riots and violence in over 100 cities, fueled anger and distrust within the Black community, and ultimately led to a period of national mourning and a push for further civil rights legislation. -
The Voting Rights Act of 1968
The Voting Rights Act of 1965, similar to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibited racial discrimination in voting. The Act was later expanded to help protect the right to vote for racial minorities throughout the country (mainly the South)