Civil Rights Timeline

Dred Scott v Sandford

1856

The case took place in 1897 that concerned Dred Scott a slave that became free, Scott filed suit against Emerson’s estate, John Sandford. The federal district court relied upon Missouri law, finding Scott remained a slave.

13th Amendment

Jan 31, 1865

Amendment in the constitution that abolished slavery. President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865.

14th Amendment

Jul 28, 1868

People born in the US are a citizen and they have the rights of a citizen. This was important because it ensured that the freed slaves were technically U.S. citizens. Includes equal protection, citizenship, and privileges as a citizen.

15th Amendment

Feb 3, 1870

Gives African American men the right to vote, men had the right to vote no matter their race or color.

Affirmative Action

1877

practices in a government that includes groups based on their gender, race, sexuality, or nationality in which these groups are underrepresented, like education and employment. Positive Action.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Apr 13, 1896

Supreme Court case that said that racial segregation laws didn't violate the constitution as long as they were equal accommodations just separate.

White Primaries

1920

Elections held in the south that only white people could partake in. This was to stop African Americans from voting.

19th Amendment

Aug 18, 1920

Gave woman the right to vote in elections which was granted to them after years of woman suffrage.

Brown v. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

Supreme Court case that said that racial segregation in schools did not follow the constitution.

Poll Taxes

1962

Was abolished by the 24th amendment, a fee that citizens had to pay in order to vote in public elections. Was originally there to stop African Americans from voting.

24th Amendment

Jan 23, 1964

A citizen right to vote can't be denied to him because he owes poll taxes, or other kinds of taxes. Along with giving anyone the right to vote no matter what class they are in. So, they can take part in elections.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

Passed a law to end segregation in public places and not let employers discriminate against people of color.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Aug 6, 1965

Stops racial discrimation when it comes to voting guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Equal Rights Amendment

Aug 10, 1970

Amendment to the United States Constitution that guarantees equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex.

Reed v. Reed

Oct 19, 1971

Supreme Court case that was one of the first that dealt with gender discrimation and how it was wrong because it went against the constitution.

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

Oct 12, 1977

Supreme Court case that allowed race to be one of several factors in college admission policy. That minorities can decrease white opportunities when it came to college opportunities.

Bowers v. Hardwick

Mar 31, 1986

Supreme Court case where Georgia said that sodomy for homosexuals was not okay, so it was then ruled that that was against the constitution that it should be prohibited in Georgia in the first place.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Jul 26, 1990

Civil Rights act that stops discrimination based on someone's disability. Along with accommodating them.

Motor Voter Act

May 23, 1993

Passes by congress to make it easier to register to vote and maintain registration. Signed by President Bill.

Lawrence v Texas

Mar 26, 2003

Supreme Court case that criminal punishment for consensual, adult non- procreative sexual activity is unconstitutional.

Obergefell v. Hodges

Apr 28, 2015

Supreme Court case that laws making homosexual marriage illegal went against both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.