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Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was a Supreme Court case decided on May 17, 1954. It was brought by Oliver Brown on behalf of his daughter, Linda Brown, who was denied entry to a white school in Topeka, Kansas. The Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, stating that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." This decision overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling and was a major step in the Civil Rights Movement. -
Murder of Emmet Till
The murder of Emmett Till occurred in 1955 in Money, Mississippi. The 14-year-old African American boy was allegedly accused of whistling at a white woman, Carolyn Bryant. Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, two white men, abducted, tortured, and killed him. They were acquitted by an all-white jury, but Till’s open-casket funeral, organized by his mother, Mamie Till, brought national attention to racial violence and became a key moment in the Civil Rights Movement. -
Rosa Parks and the bus boycott
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, organized by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Black community, who boycotted buses for over a year. In 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled bus segregation unconstitutional. The boycott was a key moment in the Civil Rights Movement, making Rosa Parks a symbol of resistance. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was founded in 1957 by Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. It focused on using nonviolent protests to challenge racial segregation and discrimination, often organizing through African American churches. The SCLC played a key role in major events like the March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery marches, advancing the cause of racial equality. -
Little Rock 9
The Little Rock Nine were nine African American students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. Despite the Supreme Court's desegregation ruling, they faced intense opposition, and the Arkansas governor initially tried to block their entry. President Eisenhower sent federal troops to protect the students, ensuring their right to attend the school. Their courage became a symbol of the fight for civil rights and school desegregation. -
Greensboro Sit ins
The Greensboro Sit-ins started on February 1, 1960, when four African American students sat at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, and were denied service. Their peaceful protest inspired similar actions across the South, challenging segregation in public spaces. The sit-ins helped lead to the desegregation of lunch counters and raised awareness of racial inequality. -
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was the first African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South. In 1960, at six years old, she attended William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, escorted by federal marshals for safety. Despite facing intense protests and hostility, Ruby's bravery helped challenge school segregation and became a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement. -
Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who rode interstate buses in the 1960s to challenge segregation in the South. In 1961, Black and white activists rode together, facing violent opposition and arrests. Their efforts helped lead to the desegregation of bus stations and advanced the Civil Rights Movement. The Freedom Rides showed the power of nonviolent protest against racial injustice. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington took place on August 28, 1963, with over 250,000 people gathering in Washington, D.C., to demand racial equality and justice. The event is famous for Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, calling for racial harmony. The march was a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement and helped lead to key legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. -
Civil Rights (1964)
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended segregation in public places, schools, and employment, ensuring equal access to public services. The Act also empowered the federal government to enforce desegregation and protect voting rights, becoming a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement and significantly advancing the fight against racism and inequality in the U.S. -
Assassination of Malcolm X
Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965, while speaking at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. He was shot by members of the Nation of Islam, a group he had left due to differences. After leaving, Malcolm X shifted to advocating for Black empowerment and racial unity. His death shocked the nation and left a lasting impact on the Civil Rights Movement. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches (Bloody Sunday)
The Selma to Montgomery Marches in 1965 were protests for voting rights. On "Bloody Sunday" (March 7), marchers were attacked by law enforcement as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The violence sparked national outrage, leading to two more marches. Under federal protection, the marchers reached Montgomery, demanding voting rights, which contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. -
Voting Rights Acts (1965)
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting. It banned practices like literacy tests and poll taxes, which disenfranchised African Americans. The Act also provided federal oversight in areas with a history of discrimination, ensuring fair voting access. It was a key victory for the Civil Rights Movement, increasing African American voter participation. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, while supporting a sanitation workers' strike. He was shot on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. His death shocked the nation and sparked protests. King’s legacy of nonviolence and racial equality continues to inspire movements for justice worldwide. His work in the Civil Rights Movement helped advance equality in the U.S.