Civil Rights Timeline

Founding of CORE

1942

Congress of Racial Equality (CORE): An organization founded in 1942 by students; fought for the equal rights of blacks peacefully.

Integration of Military

Jul 26, 1948

Executive Order 9981: An executive order made by Harry S. Truman banning segregation in the military. Reasons:
- to assist the moral ground of the United States in promoting democracy abroad (against Nazi Germany and then the Soviet Union)
-to be sure to have black soldiers fight in the next possible conflict
-to help start to solve problems like what happened with Isaac Woodard.

Brown v Board Decision

May 17, 1954

Multiple cases in one, they chose to have Brown case be the header, as it was a northern state. Ended with decision of desegregating schools "with all deliberate speed", finding it unconstitutional. Lead way to desegregation.

Montgomery Bus Boycott starts

Dec 5, 1955

A few days after Rosa Parks event, 90% of blacks who usually rode the bus did not for a day to boycott the racism of having to move and sit in the back for white people. MLK's first organized event.

Little Rock Nine

1957

Nine black students in Little Rock attend a white school, following the ban on segregation of schools. Big deal and have to be protected by soldiers.

Sit-ins 1st example

1960

Boycotting and disrupting business of racist stores/locations by sitting in them and refusing to move.

Freedom Rides

1961

An interstate bus journey by black and white activists who entered segregated bus facilities together throughout the South. Sought to make it an "interstate" issue, which would push brown v. board, instead of State's issue.

James Meredith (Enrolls at Ol' Miss)

1962

James Meredith, a black veteran, enrolled at a very white rooted college in Mississippi. When not accepted, he took the case to court with the NAACP, with presidential help, as a continuation of the Brown vs. Board decision to apply to colleges. Through many problems, he eventually graduated and such.

Birmingham

Apr 3, 1963

Civil Rights effort to desegregate Birmingham, Alabama. Shocking elements of police brutality.
Planned by SCLC - lots of media attention.
MLK's arrest - letter from birmingham jail
Turned into a children's crusade.

March on Washington

Aug 28, 1963

March on Washington, 1963 - massive demonstration in the Nation’s capital that demanded passage of a federal civil rights act and more economic opportunities.
“Jobs and Freedom” slogan
20,000 - largest political protest to that time
“I have a dream”
Broadcast worldwide live on TV
Built more widespread support for civil rights

Freedom Summer

Jun 21, 1964

Multi Pronged attack on white supremacy in Mississippi that included a 1)voter registration drive and 2) the creation of Freedom Schools. 3 workers disappear who are going down to help.

Civil Rights Act

Jul 2, 1964

Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Legislation that 1)banned segregation in businesses and places open to the public (such as restaurants and public schools) and 2) prohibited racial and gender discrimination in employment
Result of thousands of individuals risking their safety, as well as the high-profile events of the last 18 months.f

Voting Rights Act

1965

Legislation that prohibited literacy tests and poll taxes, plus authorized the use of federal registrars to register voters if states failed to respect the Fifteenth Amendment

Selma March (1st one)

Mar 7, 1965

Last win for nonviolent Civil Rights, LBJ sent voting act to congress, helped gain white support for Civil Rights.

King Assassination

Apr 4, 1968

Three weeks of urban riots and upheaval diminished white support while civil rights lost its most prominent spokesman.