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Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education was an important Supreme Court case that ruled that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. In the case, Oliver Brown filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas after his daughter, Linda Brown, was denied from entering an all-white school. It was argued that, under the 14th Amendment, no state can "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." -
Emmett Till Murdered
14-year-old African American Emmett Till was brutally harassed, assaulted, and murdered by two white men after allegedly flirting with a white woman. This entire event emphasized the severity of Jim Crow segregation in the Southern U.S. and acted as one of many early driving forces behind the civil rights movement. -
Rosa Parks Defies Segregation on the Bus
While Rosa Parks was riding a bus home after work, she went against segregation laws by refusing to give up her seat to a white man. Although police had to step in and arrest Rosa Parks for her actions, her defiance helped add fuel to the civil rights movement in the U.S. -
Little Rock Nine
Nine black students, known as the "Little Rock Nine," were blocked from entering Little Rock Central High School. In response, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort the students into the school, where the students were harassed. This event emphasized government action in the civil rights movement as well as continuing integration of black children into public schools. -
Greensboro Sit-in
Four black college students in Greensboro, North Caroline sat down at a white only lunch counter and refused to leave without being served. This event helped spark several other sit-ins that occurred throughout the U.S. and fueled the civil rights movement. -
Ruby Bridges and New Orleans School
6-year-old black student Ruby Bridges was escorted by four armed marshals into William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. This was a major event because she became the first black student to integrate into an all-white school. -
March on Washington
Around 250,000 people participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In this event, MLK Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. One famous quote that is attributed to MLK Jr. is, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into the U.S. law. This act allowed the government to better prevent racial discrimination in various areas including employment, voting, and public facility usage. This act was seen as a major victory in the civil rights movement due to the equality that it brought forth for African Americans. -
Loving v. Virginia
Richard Loving, a white man, and Mildred Jeter, a black and Native American woman, were accused with violating Virginia's state law prohibiting interracial marriage. In Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme Court made a groundbreaking decision and ruled the prohibition of interracial marriage as unconstitutional, with Chief Justice Earl Warren stating, "The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men." -
Detroit Riots
After a raid at an illegal drinking club where many African Americans were arrested, a series of violent riots in Detroit occurred. Protests, vandalism, and looting occurred, and many were injured, arrested, and even killed. Further investigation into the riots led to the conclusion that racism and discrimination were major causes of the riots, drawing attention towards equality and the civil rights movement. -
Foundation of Congressional Black Caucus
A group of African American members of Congress founded the Congressional Black Congress to address topics such as black economic opportunities, justice reform, and civil rights. This gave African Americans a stronger voice in Congress and politics in the United States. -
Jesse Jackson's Bid for U.S. Presidency
Jesse Jackson was the first black man to run for President of the United States and specifically ran for the Democratic nomination. This was an important event as it fueled motivation for future black politicians in the U.S. -
Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987
The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 clarified that civil rights laws apply to entire institutions if it receives any federal funds whatsoever. This act helped expand the reach of civil rights regulations and protect African Americans from discrimination in vital areas like healthcare and education. -
Rodney King Verdict
Rodney King, an African American man, was brutally beaten by four LAPD officers. A court acquitted the four officers, which lead to widespread outrage and increased focus on police brutality, racial injustice, and discrimination. -
Million Man March
Hundreds of thousands of black men were gathered at Washington D.C. and promoted unity, atonement, and family values. This march helped strengthen, tighten, and empower black communities throughout the U.S. -
Rosa Parks Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Rosa Parks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award, for her actions on the Montgomery Bus Boycott, as well as her influential role in powering the civil rights movement. Awarding Rosa Parks this medal helped recognize her role in the civil rights movement and preserve her legacy. -
Ruby Bridges Foundation Founded
Ruby Bridges, one of the first black children to integrate into public schools, founded the Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote tolerance and equality, as well as to continue on her legacy and teach on the importance of the civil rights movement. -
Little Rock Nine Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
The nine black students that were a part of the "Little Rock Nine" integration into white schools were awarded Congressional Gold Medals for outstanding courage. This helped acknowledge the importance of the nine black students' involvement in the civil rights movement. -
Barack Obama Elected President of the U.S.
In 2008, Obama was elected President of the United States and became the first black President in history. This was an extremely historic and significant milestone as it signified major progress in equality and racial justice. -
George Floyd Death
George Floyd, a black man, was killed in Minneapolis by a white police officer through excessive force, which sparked extreme outrage from across the U.S. This caused many riots, protests, and lootings to occur. In addition, a movement known as Black Lives Matter began to spread in response to Floyd's death, emphasizing police reform and racial justice.