-
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was a Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, stating that "separate but equal" facilities are inherently unequal. This decision helped advance civil rights in the U.S. -
Murder of Emmett Till
In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered in Mississippi for allegedly offending a white woman. Kidnapped, beaten, and shot, his body was dumped in a river. His killers were acquitted. His mother’s decision for an open-casket funeral sparked national outrage, fueling the Civil Rights Movement against racial injustice. -
Rosa Parks and the Bus Boycott
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus. Her arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists. The boycott lasted over a year, with African Americans refusing to use the buses. Eventually, the Supreme Court declared bus segregation unconstitutional, marking a major victory in the Civil Rights Movement. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference was founded on January 10, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. Its goal was to fight racial segregation and discrimination through nonviolent protests. The SCLC played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement, organizing events like the Selma to Montgomery March and the Birmingham Campaign, helping push for significant civil rights reforms. -
Little Rock 9
In 1957, the Little Rock Nine, nine African American students, integrated Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. They faced violent protests, but President Eisenhower sent federal troops to protect them. Their courage was crucial in challenging school segregation and advancing civil rights. -
Greensboro Sit ins
The Greensboro Sit Ins started on February 1, 1960, when four Black students sat at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. They were denied service but stayed seated. Their peaceful protest inspired similar actions nationwide, becoming a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement. -
Ruby Bridges
In 1960, Ruby Bridges, a six year old African American girl, became the first to integrate an all white elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was escorted by federal marshals to protect her from violent protests. Her bravery in facing racism helped challenge segregation in schools, becoming a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement and a significant moment in the fight for equal education. -
Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were a group of interracial activists who rode buses across the South in 1961 to challenge segregation in interstate travel. Led by groups like the Congress of Racial Equality, they faced violent opposition in states like Alabama and Mississippi. Their actions helped bring national attention to the civil rights struggle and contributed to the eventual desegregation of bus terminals and public transportation. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington took place on August 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. Over 250,000 people, including civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to demand racial equality, jobs, and freedom. King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, calling for an end to segregation. The march helped push for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, promoting justice and equality. -
Civil Rights Act (1964)
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law on July 2, 1964, by President Lyndon B. Johnson in Washington, D.C. It banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The act ended segregation in public places and enforced equal employment opportunities. It was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., and marked a major step toward racial equality in America. -
Assassination of Malcolm X
On February 21, 1965, civil rights leader Malcolm X was assassinated in the Audubon Ballroom, New York City. He was shot multiple times by three members of the Nation of Islam while giving a speech. Once a prominent member of the group, Malcolm had split from them, leading to tensions. His death was a major loss to the fight for Black empowerment and civil rights in America. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches
On March 7, 1965, the Selma to Montgomery March began in Selma, Alabama, led by John Lewis and Hosea Williams. Over 600 civil rights activists marched for voting rights but were brutally attacked by state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. This violent day, known as "Bloody Sunday," shocked the nation and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, ensuring voting protections for Black Americans. -
Voting Rights Act (1965)
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed on August 6, 1965, by President Lyndon B. Johnson to stop racial discrimination in voting. It happened in the U.S., mainly affecting the South. The law banned literacy tests and gave the federal government power to protect Black voters. It was a huge win for the Civil Rights Movement, led by people like Martin Luther King Jr. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King
On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Lorraine Motel. He was shot by James Earl Ray while standing on the motel balcony. King had been in Memphis to support a sanitation workers' strike. His death caused shock and sadness across the country, leading to protests and riots, but his legacy in the fight for equality lived on.