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Civil Rights movement
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Brown V. Board Ruling
Brown v. The Board of Education declared segregation due to race in public schools to be very unconstitutional. This fused a bunch of lawsuits challenging the Plessy v. doctrine of the separate but equal standards. In the end, the Court's ruling declared Black and white student separation in schools to be horrible, which began the process to end segregation in American schools. -
Murder of Emmett Till
Emmett Till was a young black man born in Chicago who was brutally murdered in 1955 in Mississippi during a family trip. He was accused of whistling inappropriately towards a white woman, which led to his kidnapping by two white men which led to Emmett being beaten, and killed. His family asked for an open-casket funeral in order to show the violence he faced. Thanks to this decision, the civil rights movement was sparked. -
Rosa Parks and the bus boycott
Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. This led to an African American led Bus Boycott that worked efficiently. It was led by Martin Luther King Jr. They decided to stop riding the buses to protest segregation. The boycott lasted over a year and eventually led to the Supreme Court ruling that the segregation in buses was unconstitutional. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The SCLC was officially founded by Martin Luther King jr. in 1957 to fight for African American’s civil rights. This organization helped lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington. They played a very large role in the Civil Rights Movement by pushing for the end of segregation. -
Little Rock 9
The Little Rock Nine were a group of African Americans who, in 1957, were enrolled in a previously all-white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. They faced intense racism and violence from the white students that attended the same school. But thanks to the federal troops, they were able to attend classes safely, Their bravery became a symbol of the fight for school desegregation and civil rights. -
Greensboro Sit Ins
The Greensboro sit-ins began in 1960 when four Black students sat at a lunch counter only allowed for whites at a Woolworth’s store in Greensboro, North Carolina. Their plan was to refuse to leave. This act caused sit-ins across the country to demand equal service in stores. These sit ins became an important part of the Civil Rights Movement. -
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was an African American girl who became the first non white student to integrate into an all-white elementary school in the South. In 1960, she walked into William Frantz Elementary in New Orleans just at six years old. She faced lots of hate from the white community. Despite the obstacles, her bravery helped pave the way for desegregation as well as Brown v. Board. -
Freedom Riders
They were a group of activists that were part of the civil rights movement. They rode buses through the South in the early 1960s in order to challenge segregation in the transportation industry. They faced many attacks and were arrested for trying to desegregate bus stops and stations. Fortunately, their efforts helped push for more laws against segregation and made a huge impact on the Civil Rights Movement. -
March on Washington
It was a peaceful protest for Jobs and Freedom. It was a huge event I at the time since about 250,000 people gathered in D.C. to demand an end to racism. This is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech was presented. This march helped bring attention to the Civil Rights Movement and pressured the government to pass important laws like the Civil Rights Act. -
Civil Rights act
It was a law that made segregation in public places illegal. It gave the federal government power to enforce these changes. This law wasn’t the end f racism but it still helped in the fight for equality in schools, workplaces, and other public areas. -
Assassination of Malcolm X
Malcolm X was assassinated while giving a speech in New York City. He was shot by members of a group that disagreed with his religious and philosophical views. His death marked a tragic moment in the Civil Rights Movement. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches
They were a series of protests in that demanded voting rights for African Americans in the state of Alabama. The marchers faced brutal attacks from police, but they inspired people across the country to support the cause. The marches helped pass laws that protected the right to vote for all Americans, no matter their race. -
Voting Rights Act
It was a law that banned unfair practices like tests and procedures that stopped African Americans from voting. It made sure that all citizens have the right to vote, no matter the race. This law helped break down voting barriers and was a huge step toward equality in the U.S. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King jr.
He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, while he was standing on the balcony of a hotel. His death led to protests and riots across the country. It was a tragic loss, but his legacy in the fight for civil rights and equality continues to inspire people today for many things other than racism.