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Brown v Board of Education Case
On May 7, 1954, it was ruled by the Supreme Court in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case, that segregation in schools was unconstitutional. The ruling of this case overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson case which emphasized the idea of "separate but equal" and allowed Jim Crow laws to be mandated in the South. Though this case was directed against racial segregation in schools, it also implied it was unconstitutional for racial segregation in other aspects of life in the South. -
Rosa Parks Opposes Segregation
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks became an icon of the Civil Rights movement when she chose to oppose segregated seating on a bus by choosing to sit in the front -the white section. Parks was arrested and her story ignited much protest and action towards Civil Rights. Rosa Parks' arrest and opposition to racial segregation inspired the Montgomery bus boycott. This boycott eventually led to the Supreme Court ruling that segregated seating was unconstitutional on November 14, 1956. -
The Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine were nine African-American students who in September of 1957, went to Little Rock Central High School for their first day at school. Little Rock Central had previously been an all-white school and the integration of African-American students sparked public outrage. The students were faced with mobs and violence, eventually having to be escorted by U.S. soldiers on September 25, after multiple times when they were prevented from going to school. -
Ruby Bridges goes to William Frantz Elementary School
In 1960, William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans was integrated and had its first African-American student. Ruby Bridges. Ruby Bridges was a young girl who was escorted to school by U.S. Marshals for the entire year. This was due to angry mobs of parents protesting desegregation by screaming and yelling insults at the young girl. -
Freedom Rides
The Freedom Rides were a series of bus rides across the U.S. to test out if the Supreme Court ruling of Boynton v. Virginia, which banned segregated interstate bus travel for restrooms and terminals, would work. The rides began on May 4, 1961, when two groups, 7 African Americans and 6 white people boarded two buses to New Orleans. These buses were met with much violence in South Carolina and on May 14th, one bus had to be replaced with new riders. This led to stricter enforcement of the bans. -
University of Georgia admits its first 2 black stuednets
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault were two African American students denied from the University of Georgia in 1959. The NAACP got involved in fighting the unfair denial of Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault. The trial was held in December 1960. On January 6, 1961, District Judge William Bootle ruled that they should be accepted and admitted right away. Just three days later, Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault were enrolled in classes at the University of Georgia. -
Samuel L. Gravely Jr.
Samuel L. Gravely Jr. was a great figure and icon of breaking racial barriers in the military and his contributions to the military have paved the way for a more diverse military in the United States. Gravely became the first African American to be promoted to Rear Admiral and was the first African American to assume command of a Navy fleet. -
The March on Washington
The March on Washington took place on August 28, 1963, and was organized by A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, and Martin Luther King Jr. The peaceful march had over 200,000 people of all races gathered in D.C. to force Civil Rights legislation and job equality for all. This march also was the origin of the famous "I Have a Dream" speech from Martin Luther Jr. -
Bloody Sunday
On March 7, 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. organized a 4-mile march from Selma, Alabama to the state's capital, Montgomery. This march was organized in protest of the murder of Jimmi Lee Jackson, and to encourage legislation to enforce the 15th amendment. This march turned to violence when the protestors came to Edmund Pettus bridge, and met Alabama state and local police who would beat and tear gas the protestors who wouldn’t stand down. This was known as “Bloody Sunday”. -
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6 and was a great step forward for equal voting rights. This act banned all voting literacy tests that had previously been in place to prevent African Americans from voting and it provided federal examiners for certain voting jurisdictions. This act also led to poll taxes being declared unconstitutional in the Harper v. Virginia State Board of Elections case in 1966. -
The Legacy of Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks has been honored in many ways since her famous opposition to racial segregation. In 1983, Rosa Parks was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, and she wrote her autobiography in 1992 named Rosa Parks: My Story. Rosa Parks has had a lasting legacy and is known as the "Mother of the modern-day Civil Rights Movement." “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.”
― Rosa Parks -
The Legacy of Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges has been remembered throughout history for her bravery and the legacy that she has made. In 1999, she established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote tolerance and change in schools in America. In 2000, she was made an honorary deputy marchal. It is because of her contribution and role in the Civil Rights movement, that schools today are integrated and have left racial segregation behind. “I wanted to be a part of the solution, not the problem.”
-Ruby Bridges -
Honoring the Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine who faced much adversity and prejudice in the education system are an example of overcoming adversity. They went on to explore careers in fields such s health, education, and criminal justice. They were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton in 1999. In 2009, they were invited to President Obama's inauguration. -
The Importance of the Brown v. Board of Education Case
The Brown V. Board of Education case was one of the most important things for American education in History. This case has laid the groundwork for school reform throughout history for students of all ethnicities and created new opportunities for students to succeed in life. Since 1960, African American students have had more opportunities for college and pursuing careers that they want to go into. -
Impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act created more opportunities for fair voting rights for African American citizens to preserve democracy in the United States. In 2020, mail-in voting was introduced, which still allows people to vote even if they are not in public voting places. It allowed people to still be heard even if they could just mail a vote in. -
The Resounding Echo of "I Have a Dream"
The famous "I Have a Dream Speech" by Martin Luther King Jr. will forever be cemented as a slogan for Civil Rights and the progress of mankind. Martin Luther dreamt of a world where people were not judged by the color of their skin but rather by their character. Dr. King's speech hs been a beacon for our history and a beacon for the future. Even as we look back at its historical significance we must still look to its future significance for there is still much progress to be made. -
The Impact of Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault
Holmes’s son followed his father’s footsteps and also graduated from the University of Georgia in 1990. The University of Georgia named buildings after them for having such a role in the history of the school. Sadly, in 1995 Holmes passed away, but Hunter-Gault still continues to make impacts on the University today. She and her husband started a program in 2018 that offered grants to students at the University who are promoting social justice and global understanding. -
Samuel L. Gravely Jr. and his Impact on the U.S. Navy
Samuel L. Gravely Jr. was a trailblazer and a pioneer in breaking racial barriers in the military. Because of his lasting legacy and impact on the military, a destroyer battleship was named after him in 2010 called the USS Graveley. The legacy and accomplishments of Gravely have paved a way for future generations of African Americans in the armed forces. -
The Impact of the Freedom Rides
The Freedom Rides of 1961 were a pivotal event that shifted the perspective of the Civil Rights Movement. The media coverage of the Freedom Rides raised awareness of the violent opposition to the Civil Rights Movement and turned public opinion in favor of Civil Rights. Freedom Rides are a good example of peaceful protest and have inspired modern forms of protest. -
Remembering "Bloody Sunday"
Since 1965, the city of Selma in Alabama commemorates the day known as "Bloody Sunday" and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that it inspired with an annual event known as the Annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee. This year is the 59th anniversary of the Selma March and the annual jubilee took place on March 3 -the first Sunday of March.