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Brown V. Board of education
The landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education challenged racial segregation in public schools. The Court ruled that "separate but equal" facilities were inherently unequal, declaring school segregation unconstitutional. This decision paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement, establishing a legal foundation for the desegregation of schools and public facilities. -
Murder of Emmett Till
On August 28, 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered in Money, Mississippi, after being accused of flirting with a white woman. His body was discovered in the Tallahatchie River, and his open-casket funeral in Chicago revealed the horrific nature of his death. The subsequent trial, in which his killers were acquitted, sparked national outrage and became a rallying point for the Civil Rights Movement. -
Rosa parks and the bus boycott
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, an African American woman, was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus. Her act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted over a year and was led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The boycott eventually resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was formed by Martin Luther King Jr. and other African American leaders. The organization aimed to coordinate nonviolent protests against racial injustice across the South. SCLC became a key force in the Civil Rights Movement, organizing marches, protests, and campaigns for equality. -
Little Rock 9
The Little Rock Nine were the first African American students to attend Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in defiance of segregation laws. They faced violent protests and hostility, leading President Dwight D. Eisenhower to send federal troops to protect them. This event was a pivotal moment in the desegregation of public schools. -
Greensboro sit ins
Four Black college students sat at a "whites-only" lunch counter at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina, sparking a series of sit-ins across the nation. The peaceful protest aimed to desegregate public spaces and gain equal access for African Americans. The sit-ins helped inspire a new wave of civil rights activism. -
Ruby bridges
Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old African American girl, became the first Black student to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. She faced daily protests and hostility but bravely continued attending school, becoming a symbol of the struggle for educational equality. Her courage inspired the broader civil rights movement. -
Freedom riders
Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who rode interstate buses to challenge segregation in bus terminals across the South. They faced violent attacks but continued their journey, bringing national attention to the issue of segregation in public transportation. Their efforts led to desegregation in many bus stations. -
March on Washington
Over 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This peaceful demonstration highlighted the need for racial equality, economic justice, and the end of segregation. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, urging for an end to racial discrimination. -
Civil right act (1964)
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Act helped dismantle legal segregation and was a major victory for the civil rights movement. It laid the foundation for future progress in the fight for racial equality. -
Assassination of Malcom x
Malcolm X, a prominent Black leader and advocate for Black empowerment, was assassinated while speaking at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. His death marked a turning point in the Black liberation movement, as he had shifted his views towards a more inclusive approach after leaving the Nation of Islam. His assassination left a lasting impact on civil rights and activism. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches (Bloody Sunday)
The Selma to Montgomery marches were organized to demand voting rights for African Americans. On March 7, known as "Bloody Sunday," peaceful protesters were violently attacked by police as they attempted to march. The marches led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act later that year. -
Voting rights in Act (1965)
The Voting Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson to eliminate discriminatory practices that denied African Americans the right to vote. The law prohibited literacy tests and poll taxes and provided federal oversight in areas with a history of discrimination. It was a significant victory for voting rights and racial equality. -
Assassaination of Martin Luther king
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. His death sent shockwaves through the nation and sparked riots in cities across the United States. King’s leadership and nonviolent philosophy had been central to the Civil Rights Movement, and his death marked a profound loss for the struggle for racial justice.