Famous and not so famous people related to the Civil Rights Movement

Civil Rights Movement 1955-1968

Period: Jan 1, 1955 to Dec 31, 1968

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dec 1, 1955

Lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was a strong leader of the Civil Rights Movement until April 1968. "I have a dream" speech in 1963.

Rosa Parks

Dec 1, 1955

Called, " the first lady of Civil Rights". Refused to obey bus driver in December of 1955.

Ruby Bridges

Jan 1, 1960

At the age of 6, Ruby was the first black elementary school child to attend a white school.

Malcolm X

Mar 1, 1964

Malcom X left the Nation of Islam and his former black supremacy beliefs to be an advocate for African American Civil Rights, disavowing racism.

Black Panther Party

Jan 1, 1966

U.S. African American Militant Group founded in Oakland. Lead by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. Believed violent revolution was the only way to receive freedom.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos

Jan 1, 1968

These two Olympians gave the Black Power salute at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Two men were suspended by the U.S. team and banned from Olympic village. Considered a milestone of The Civil Rights Movement.