Civil Rights Timeline

By ricalala
  • 1110

    KEY

    Achievement 🎉
    Protest, 🧌
    Legislation/Supreme Court Case, 📝
    Violence by Protesters, 🧌🗡
    Violence by Opposition, 🥸🗡
    No Violence😇
  • Period: to

    1950s

  • Emmett Till’s Murder 🥸🗡

    Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy, was brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955 after allegedly whistling at a white woman, sparking outrage and the civil rights movement in the United States. His killers, despite their confession during a trial, were acquitted by an all-white jury, highlighting the deep racial injustices of the time.

  • Montgomery Bus Boycott 😇🧌

    The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a pivotal civil rights protest in 1955-1956, sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat, leading to a 381-day boycott of the city's segregated bus system, ultimately resulting in a Supreme Court ruling declaring segregated buses unconstitutional.

  • Keys v. Carolina Coach🎉

    decided in 1955, the United States Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation on buses operating in interstate commerce was unconstitutional, setting a significant precedent for desegregation in public transportation. This decision marked a crucial step forward in the civil rights movement, challenging segregation laws and paving the way for further legal challenges to discriminatory practices.

  • Creation of the Montgomery Improvement 😇

    The Montgomery Improvement Association was established in December 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, following the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the association played a pivotal role in coordinating the boycott and advocating for civil rights, marking a significant milestone in the American civil rights movement.

  • The Civil Rights Act of 1957📝

    The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first major civil rights legislation enacted since Reconstruction, primarily focusing on safeguarding voting rights for African Americans and establishing federal mechanisms to investigate civil rights violations.
  • Period: to

    1960s

  • Greensboro Sit-In😇🧌

    The Greensboro Sit-In, which began on February 1, 1960, was a non violent protest organized by four African American college students who sat down at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina,

  • Civil Rights Act of 1964📝😇

    The Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and ended segregation in public places and employment practices,.

  • Voting Rights Act of 1965 📝😇

    The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at combating racial discrimination in voting, particularly in Southern states. It prohibited literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that had been used to disenfranchise African American voters, significantly expanding access to the ballot and helping to empower minority communities in the political process.

  • Assassination of Malcolm X 🗡

    Malcolm X, the influential civil rights leader, was assassinated on February 21, 1965, during a speech in New York City by members of the Nation of Islam, sparking shock and controversy in the midst of the turbulent civil rights era.

  • Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.🥸🗡

    The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, shook the nation and marked a tragic end to the life of one of the most influential figures in the Civil Rights Movement. Kings death sparked riots and mourning across the country, while also galvanizing support for the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice.
  • Period: to

    1970s

  • Shirley Chisolm’s Presidential Campaign😇

    Shirley Chisholm made history in 1972 as the first African American woman to seek the nomination for President of the United States from a major political party. Her campaign, marked by its slogan "Unbought and Unbossed," challenged racial and gender barriers, inspiring marginalized communities and paving the way for future generations of diverse political candidates.

  • Hank Aron´s home run record 🎉

    Hank Aaron, an iconic figure in baseball, broke Babe Ruth's long-standing home run record on April 8, 1974, with his 715th career home run while playing for the Atlanta Braves, overcoming significant racial prejudice and death threats along the way.

  • University of California Regents v. Bakke,📝

    The University of California Regents v. Bakke, decided in 1978, the Supreme Court ruled that the use of racial quotas in college admissions was unconstitutional

  • Barbara Jordan’s Address at the Democratic National Convention😇

    In her keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, Barbara Jordan, the first African American woman from the South to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, delivered a powerful speech emphasizing the importance of unity and equality in American democracy. Her eloquent oration garnered widespread acclaim, solidifying her reputation as a prominent voice for civil rights and political progress.

  • Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education 📝

    was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1971 that upheld the use of busing as a tool to desegregate public schools. This decision was instrumental in shaping the approach to school integration and advancing civil rights in the United States.