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Brown v. Board of Education
The Brown family, along with twelve other local black families, filed a lawsuit against the Topeka Board of Education in a federal court. Brown vs. Board was decision by the U.S. Supreme Court stating that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This decision overturned Plessy v. Ferguson. -
The Murder of Emmet Till
14 year old Emmet Till was accused of whistling at a white woman. 3 days later, Ray Bryant and J.W. Milan kidnapped, tortured, and brutally killed him. His mother held a funeral with an open casket. 50,000 people attended the funeral. -
The Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks was arrested for failing to move seats on the bus. She spent the night in jail and was charged with a fine. This started the bus boycott. The boycott lasted 383 days. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
A meeting of Black pastors to coordinate black events. MLK was its first President. The group registered blacks to vote, opposed Vietnam War, and better jobs for blacks. -
Little Rock 9
9 black students attended a white school. The Governor of Arkansas called out the National Guard to stop them. President Eisenhower called in 1,200 military men to escort them. In 1959, all schools fully integrated. -
Greensboro Sit Ins
4 college students went to Wodsworth to buy items. They tried to sit at the lunch counter but were refused, so they sat in day after day. This grew until there were over 1,000 people sitting in. Wodsworth lost money so they decided to serve the black community. -
Freedom Riders
436 individuals in 60 separate freedom rides tried to desegregate buses, hotels, and diners. It started in Washington D.C. and spread south. These individuals were attacked by the KKK. Tires were slashed, buses were burned, and people were beat. -
March on Washington
250,000 people marched in Washington D.C. It was a peaceful protest for jobs and freedom. MLK gave his I Have a Dream Speech. -
Civil Rights Act
This took place in Washington D.C. It enabled the government to prevent discrimination and segregation based on race, religion, or national origin in businesses and facilities. Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill. -
Malcom X Assassination
He was a civil rights leader who was part of the Nation of Islam. He wanted black people to believe I’m themselves and start their own businesses. He was shot 21 times by Thomas Hagan. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches
600 black people marched from church to Montgomery. They were going to register to vote. They were brutally beat by troopers at Edmond Bridge. -
Voting Rights Act
Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act. This enabled African Americans to vote. It was a federal matter not a state matter. -
MLK Assassination
MLK spoke at a protest in Memphis. After he spoke, he went back to his motel. He was then shot in the face and died. James Earl Ray was sentenced to 99 years and this was the end of the Civil Rights Movement.