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1950s
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Sweatt v. Painter
Sweatt v. Painter was a landmark Supreme Court case that challenged racial segregation in graduate education. Heman Marion Sweatt, an African American man, was denied admission to the University of Texas Law School solely because of his race. The Supreme Court ruled that the separate law school established for Black students was not equal to the white law school and ordered Sweatt's admission, setting a precedent for desegregation in higher education. -
Keys v. Carolina Coach
Keys v. Carolina Coach Co. was a landmark Supreme Court case that challenged racial segregation in interstate bus transportation. Sarah Keys, an African American woman, was refused a seat on a bus operated by the Carolina Coach Company because of her race. The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation on interstate buses was unconstitutional. -
The Murder of Emmet Till
A 14-year-old boy, Emmet Till, was lynched for supposedly whistling at a white woman. Two white men would go to Emmet's house the following morning and lynch him. -
Creation of the Montgomery Improvement Association
The Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) was established in Montgomery, Alabama, following the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. The MIA, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a successful campaign that lasted for over a year, leading to the desegregation of the city's bus system -
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The Montgomery Bus Boycott
The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a peaceful protest against Jim Crow laws forcing African Americans to sit in the back of all public transportation buses. -
Founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was founded on this date in Atlanta, Georgia. It was established by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders as a nonviolent organization to coordinate and support local efforts in the struggle for civil rights. The SCLC played a crucial role in organizing protests, boycotts, and other campaigns during the Civil Rights Movement. -
The Little Rock Nine Crisis
The Little Rock Nine Crisis was an incident regarding the U.S. National Guard at Little Rock Central High School when 9 African American students enrolled in the school causing outrage among other students. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1957
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first Civil Rights Act since 1875. The Act established the Civil Rights Section in the Department of Justice -
Cooper v Aaron
Cooper v. Aaron was a significant Supreme Court case that reaffirmed the authority of the federal judiciary in enforcing desegregation orders. It arose from the resistance of Arkansas officials to implement the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which had declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The Court held that state officials were bound by the Court's decisions and could not nullify or ignore them. -
1960s
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The Greensboro Sit-Ins
The Greensboro Sit-Ins were a series of nonviolent protests where African Americans would sit down at white-only restaurants. -
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The Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were a group of Black and White activists who rode through the American South as a form of protest. -
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The Albany Campaign
The Albany Campaign was a year-long movement of desegregation protests and other activist movements. -
Integration of Mississippi Universities
James Meredith became the first African American student to integrate into the University of Mississippi, breaking the color barrier at the previously all-white institution. -
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The Birmingham Movement
The Birmingham Movement was a series of activist movements across the highly segregated city of Birmingham, Atlanta. -
The Assassination of Medgar Evers
Civil Rights Activist Medgar Evers was assassinated by Byron De Beckwith Jr. -
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was an immense march on the Washington Monument for the fight for Civil Rights. The attendance was an estimated 250,000 people coming from all over the country, all lead by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -
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Mississippi Freedom Summer
Mississippi Freedom Summer was a volunteer-run government campaign in order to register Black voters in Mississippi as possible -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a Federal Civil Rights Act that made a monumental mark on the American Work Force. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal for all employers to discriminate based on race, color, sex, or National Origin. -
Heart of Atlanta Motel vs. US
The Supreme Court case Heart of Atlanta Motel, Inc. v. United States affirmed the constitutionality of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The case involved the Heart of Atlanta Motel, which refused to accept Black patrons, claiming the Civil Rights Act exceeded the federal government's authority. The Supreme Court upheld the Act, stating that Congress could regulate private businesses engaged in interstate commerce to prevent racial discrimination. -
The Assassination of Malcom X
The Muslim Minister, and Civil Rights Activist, Malcolm X is assassinated by Thomas Hagan -
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The March From Selma to Montgomery
The March From Selma to Montgomery was a march led by MLK. They marched to ensure African Americans still had the right to vote. -
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed all discriminatory voting practices -
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Northern Violence over School Integration
This refers to a series of incidents and protests that occurred in Northern states, such as Boston and Chicago, as a response to efforts to integrate schools. These incidents involved violent clashes between white protestors and Black students and often required the intervention of law enforcement to ensure the safety and rights of Black students. -
James Meredith's March Against Fear
African American Actvist, James Meredith began his plans for a solitary march from Memphis, Tennesse all the way to Jackson, Mississippi. He did this to bring attention to the discrimination against African Americans in Mississippi. -
Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated by James Earl Ray at the Loraine Motel in Memphis, Tennesse. -
The Fair Housing Act of 1968
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 illegalized all discriminatory housing market practices. -
Swann Vs Mecklenburg County Schools
The Supreme Court case Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education ruled that busing could be used as a tool to achieve racial integration in public schools. This decision upheld the authority of federal courts to enforce desegregation plans, including the use of transportation to achieve racial balance in schools. -
Shirley Chisholm's Presidential Campaign
Shirley Chisholm, an African American congresswoman from New York, became the first Black major-party candidate for President of the United States. She sought the Democratic Party's nomination during the 1972 presidential election, advocating for issues such as racial and gender equality, and highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in American politics. -
Hank Aaron's Home Run Record
On this date, Hank Aaron, a baseball player for the Atlanta Braves, hit his 715th career home run. This broke Babe Ruth's long-standing record and made Aaron the all-time home run leader at that time. Aaron's achievement was particularly significant because he faced racism and death threats throughout his career as a Black player in a predominantly white sport. -
University of California Regents vs. Bakke
The Supreme Court case University of California Regents v. Bakke dealt with affirmative action in college admissions. The Court ruled that racial quotas were unconstitutional but allowed race to be considered as one of several factors in college admissions to promote diversity. The decision had a significant impact on affirmative action policies in higher education. -
Barbara Jordan's Address at the Democratic National Convention
Barbara Jordan, an African American congresswoman from Texas, delivered a keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Her powerful speech emphasized the importance of democracy, the Constitution, and national unity. Jordan's address highlighted her oratory skills and made her a prominent figure in American politics.