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Emmett Till
Emmett Till was an African American boy who was killed for supposedly flirting with a white cashier. Throug the killing itself and the open casket, this event sparked outcry -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a massive protest in which people did not ride the buses in order to fight against segregation on buses. Martin Luther King led this protest that ultimately desegregated the buses in Montgomery. -
Little Rock 9
Little Rock 9 was a group of nine students in Little Rock, Arkansas. They enrolled in a school that used to be all white. They were blocked from entering the school but eventually Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort them in. -
Youth Movement: SNCC and Sit-Ins
The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee organized sit-ins throughout the country. African American students would sit down at all white counters and ask for food. They were refused service and heckled but their actions drew national attention. -
Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were individuals were individuals who traveled through the South essentially breaking every rule related to segregation. They were met with fierce violence but their cause drew attention. In one instance, a bomb was thrown onto a bus, the riders escaped, but they were beaten. -
James Meredith and Ole Miss
James Meredith was an African American who attempted to enroll in Ole Miss. He was not allowed in, but the Supreme Court eventually ruled in his favor which led to a conflict between state forces and segregationists. -
The Philosophy of Non-Violence: Letters From a Birmingham Jail
This letter was written by MLK Jr. while he was incarcerated. The letter preached non-violent resisitence to the racism that African-Americans faced during this time period. -
Project C and Children's March
Project C or Project Confrontation, was a method of nonviolent resistance that combined with the children's crusade brought national attention. This was because of the small children who were being beaten and hosed down. -
March on Washington
This was an event that was used to bring attention to the challenges faced by African Americans. This was the day when the iconic "I have a Dream" speech was presented. -
Freedom Summer
This voter registration project in Mississippi was run by the Council of Federated Organizations. Three men were murdered which led some to question whether or not integration could be met through noniviolent methods. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This law was a major step forward and was a huge victory for both MLK and all of the people who were fighting for equality. -
Malcom X
Malcom X was a Civil Rights Leader who was more forward than MLK Jr. He was a member of the Nation of Islam and a key figure in the Civil Rights movement. He did not believe in waiting for justice. -
Selma to Montgomery March
This was a march from Selma to Montgomery that was used to bring awareness to segregation and all other challenges faced by African-Americans. Initially the protestors were stopped. Eventually with the help of the National Guard, they were able to complete the march in four days. -
Voting Rights Act
The purpose of this law was to help individuals overcome the impedements that stopped African-Americans from voting throughout the country. Most of the barriers were at the lower levels of government.
